School secretaries and caretakers strike: Union agrees to withdraw industrial action and enter talks
Fórsa says ‘key element’ of agreement is a commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements to those of teachers and SNAs
Second Level
News and advice on the second-level education system.
Teachers should refuse to pass pickets of secretaries and caretakers
The unions have over 86,000 members between them. If they stopped working, the strike would soon end
Ireland’s largest school forced to close classes due to secretary and caretaker strike
Gorey Community School has limited attendance each day to a restricted number of year groups
‘Our absence impacts the children’: School secretaries and caretakers continue strike over work conditions
Secretary says she wants ‘dignity’ and to retire not into poverty
Chronic absenteeism from school has worsened since Covid and must be tackled
Student attendance has deteriorated since Covid, with more than 30% of students in Deis second-level schools now defined as ‘chronic absentees’
CAO helpdesk: The key questions students had after this week’s college offers
We answered a variety of questions as grade deflation kicked in for the 2025 Leaving Cert class
International students in Ireland: ‘People here are genuinely warm and open, making adapting easier’
More than a dozen international students share how they find life and study in Ireland
Meet Trinity College’s lifelong learner in his 70s: ‘I’ve made lots of new friends, young and old’
The early school-leaver is now pursuing a full time undergraduate degree in history
Why students drop out and how you can avoid it
There are many sources of support that can lessen your chance of dropping out
CAO points 2025: Which courses were up or down in requirements?
Random selection for some courses applies again, but some universities have increased places to try to meet demand
School secretaries and caretakers to begin indefinite strike after talks fail
Dispute relates to exclusion of secretaries and caretakers from public-service pension scheme
CAO offers 2025: Waiting on an offer? Here’s how to respond to it
Whether you want to accept or defer, take time to think clearly and do your research before you act
CAO offers and third level education: Key dates for next steps
The dates for third level education next steps after Leaving Cert results day
Going to college? How to find student accommodation and what to watch out for
How to maximise chances of finding a student place to live and figuring out costs
Didn’t get the course you wanted? Here are some of your options
All you need to know about taking an alternative route into higher education
Why CAO points rose for many courses, and other key takeaways from this year’s process
Will the Leaving Cert class of 2025 challenge the reduced enhancement process, and is the Dare scheme fit for purpose?
On CAO Round One offer day, remember, comparison is the thief of joy
My college offer came while I was sitting in the back of my family’s car, and I screamed so loud that I almost caused a collision
It’s not too late to apply for one of the many tertiary degrees on offer in Ireland
A pathway for applicants of all ages and backgrounds to achieve the degree of their dreams
Study abroad in the Netherlands and Italy: ‘It all started with a leap of faith’
Even if the international experiences don’t tempt you, the cheaper tuition fees and sunshine just might
Education abroad: ‘Moving from Limerick to Dublin as it used to be is now like moving from Ireland to the Netherlands’
Most universities on the Continent pay little heed to points a student has accrued in the Leaving Cert
How can new students get the best from their college experience?
Societies are a great source of community which is important when coping with the big changes of being away from home
Why are so many students and parents oblivious to the opportunities in the Further Education system?
There’s a big rise in school leavers choosing Further Education and Training courses and apprenticeships as a first destination after the Leaving Cert
Taking the road less travelled can make all the difference
Students across the country are set for another nail-biting day as they gear up for the first round of CAO offers, which will be released from 2pm tomorrow
A to Z: what you need to know about further education and training
From apprenticeships to national tertiary degrees and work experience, here’s a quick guide to the many available routes outside CAO
‘I took a non-traditional route through further education that helped me decide what I wanted’
Starting fast and traditionally is not for everyone; Lee O’Connor is one such late developer
‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’
Amy Moore on going down the route of a PLC course
What is an apprenticeship - and what are the benefits?
A student is not contracted to an employer and is not paid, whereas an apprentice is, but a student has more time to socialise and join clubs
‘A great option’: The rise of FET courses – and whether they’re right for you
More students are choosing alternative routes such as PLCs, apprenticeships and new tertiary degree programmes
‘It keeps you awake at night’: A year in the life of an Irish secondary school
Dublin principal Kevin Shortall is fiercely ambitious for his students, but his school faces considerable financial challenges
College applicants set for a life in limbo for the next few days
The reality of third level is often quite different from how it’s portrayed on screen
Should you repeat the Leaving Certificate?
Repeating the Leaving Cert is not a path to be taken lightly and it is not suitable for everyone
On Leaving Cert results day, it’s important to remember the road to adult life is not linear
Leaving Cert 2025: Take a moment to be proud of your accomplishments
Disappointed with your Leaving Cert results? Here are nine options to consider, including how to appeal
Leaving Cert appeals process 'can be cathartic', says one guidance counsellor
Leaving Cert grades for 2025 will drop back by average of just over 1% on 2024 results
2025 Leaving Cert results will be available on Candidate Self Service Portal on State Examinations Commission portal
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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