Science Teachers to Get Higher Pay?

The Sunday Times is reporting that teachers in science subjects might be in line to get paid more than their colleagues in "less important" subjects such as music and art.

The story carries a quote from a Lord Broers who chaired a committee charged with raising the number of students who take science subjects at second level, an issue which has been raised by the Minister here in recent months.

“The government has to recognise market forces require them to pay science graduates more than others,” said Broers. “The future of British science and engineering is at risk because pupils are not being inspired to study science.”

How teacher's unions would view any such proposal in Ireland is an interesting question.

The full story on the Sunday Times website is here.

New Look to CAO Website

The CAO website has been given a long overdue makeover. The new site is easier to use and looks nicer, however most of the information is still the same.

This looks set to change soon though. A "walk-through" guide of the 2007 on-line application system is being launched on the 17th of November.

Stay tuned for further developments.

www.cao.ie

ASTI Conference this weekend

The ASTI Education Conference 2006 takes place this Saturday, November 11th, Croke Park. The theme for this year is "Learning and Social Change"

Dr Maeve Martin of NUI Maynooth - who chaired the Task Force on Student Behaviour - will give the keynote address. Other speakers include

· Dr Maeve Martin - Education Department, NUI Maynooth

· Pat Curtin - Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Special Education

· John White - General Secretary, ASTI

Things kick off at 10AM and are schedule to finish up at 4PM.

New Employee Assistance Service for Teachers who experience difficulties launched

The Department of Education have launched a new Employee Assistance Service. Apparently the aim is to help teachers who are suffering stress or related problems by providing range of supportive psychological health services to teachers. Services include, single session or short term structured telephone counselling, face to face short term confidential counselling as well as critical incident debriefing.

"These services are intended to assist individual teachers and school communities to increase psychological resilience, improve communication, develop positive work relationships and enhance well-being" said Minister Hanafin.

The service is provided by VHI Ireland, who won a tender process.

Full story on the Department website