Has your child settled in to school? The essential prep has nothing to do with reading or writing
In junior infants, the key skills to practise with a child at home include toileting, getting dressed and having a generally positive outlook
Primary Level
News and advice covering the primary level education system.
‘They deserve to be on a good wage’: Dublin parents back teachers on industrial action
Parents who spoke during school pickups on Monday were supportive of action, though acknowledged it may ‘upset’ jobs
Budget 2027: Improved childcare supports to include after-school care
Families with a young child in creche could save €1,000 a year, while an income-tax package is expected for workers
Financial reality Irish schools face is not reflected in OECD’s statistics
If education in Ireland were properly funded, think what could be achieved
Chronic absenteeism: More than 75,000 secondary students missed 20 days in school year
Report from Tusla Education Support Service shows ‘one in five students continue to miss a month or more of their school year’
Tackling education inequality: Social connections must be prioritised in Deis Plus schools
Newly appointed staff working with families of economically disadvantaged students can fundamentally alter the life trajectories of young people
Ireland spends less on education than OECD average, new data shows
The report also found the number of primary teachers in Ireland increased by 27 per cent over the last seven years, which is much higher than the OECD average
Here’s how to do hot school meals right
What children are being offering currently is closer to a ration than a meal - tired, unappealing and depleted of its nutritional purpose
My son has missed a lot of school. Like many parents, I’m not too worried
New research suggests today’s parents may be more willing than previous generations to allow their children to stay home. I saw myself in the findings
Heads, hearts and hands
Meditation is only beneficial for students if they have been exposed to its benefit from a young age
School closures loom on separate days next month as teacher pay dispute escalates
Members of ASTI to begin work-to-rule on October 5th and will strike nine days later if ‘meaningful’ pay talks are not under way
Leinster House could afford a couple more bike sheds
Just tighten things up with the school meals programme
The case for meditation in Irish education
Convention on Education should consider that wellbeing of pupils is not merely an adjunct to learning
Special edition of Studies published to coincide with Convention on Education
Academics, teachers, students and parents make a ‘contribution to the conversation’ on future of Irish education
Give children the independence of getting themselves to school
It’s an essential step in giving them the independence they will need in the years ahead
Hot school meals scheme to be overhauled after reports find poor quality and high waste
Cold food options and more flexible menu options among the priorities for parents, according to Government research
State reneged on promise to provide school place to autistic girl (7), court told
Twins cried when seeing friends going to ‘big school’ and they could not, judge told
Irish attitudes to cycling − to school or otherwise − are startling
Half of all journeys under 2km in Ireland are made by car
First term resolutions to live by for a peaceful and happy new school year
Avoid overparenting, set aside some time for yourself and, like Elsa, learn when to let it go
Principal who faked charity invoices to steal from school appears at committee hearing
Admitting addiction issues, teacher gave fake referee phone number for subsequent job application
Irish interest in education is boarding on obsession
Classroom to College: Higher Options supplement is an essential guide for Leaving Cert students
‘It makes them more resilient’: Life in Ireland’s only Irish-language primary boarding school
It’s a screen-free year for them – no television, no iPads, no internet – and no access to mobile phones
Humanity misses climate target, booking.com scam ads, and Belfast cafe hit by US sanctions
Early Edition with Aideen Finnegan
Most primary and secondary students refused to go to school at least once last year
Anxiety, difficulties engaging with lessons and friendship problems cited as reasons in Barnardos study
‘I’m officially retiring from my primary school - and I’ve had a good run’
It’s the ultimate cliche, but it’s the kids I’ll miss the most, and their ability to say it as it is
Starting school means parents must ensure children are prepared - that includes being toilet-trained
Beginning formal education is about arming children with the skills to be more independent
Photographing the first day of school will freeze the moment but not the memory
Remembering is an active process. Each time we revisit an event, we reconstruct it
‘Sending just one secondary school child back to school could cost more than €1,000′
Conor Pope’s guide to surviving the September squeeze on your finances
Back-to-school costs: the €285 allowance and other ways of savings hundreds of euro
To hard-pressed parents, it can feel as if extra busyness and unnecessary expense are intentionally built into the start of the school year
Recruiting and retaining teachers: Department of Education could act on existing report
Some might reasonably question whether a review is what is now required
Catholic education sector recognises greater plurality of choice is required
Political will is needed to adequately invest in publicly funded services
The Irish Times view on school patronage: a realignment is needed
A system funded almost entirely by the State must reflect the needs of those it is supposed to serve
Back-to-school issues: the best starting age, PE problems, school refusal and teenage vapes
Conversations with Parents: A panel of experts convenes to discuss the big issues of modern schooling and parenting
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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