THE Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says there’s an increasing need to deal with teachers’ mental health needs in schools across Northern Ireland due to a sharp rise in serious mental health problems in young people.F
Figures published recently revealed that almost 800 post primary school pupils in Northern Ireland are on a waiting list to receive counselling.
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THE planned teachers’ strike in Northern Ireland will go ahead as planned on Wednesday morning regardless of the situation at Stormont.
Members of the INTO were balloted before Christmas and an overwhelming majority of teachers voted in favour of strike action over the ongoing pay dispute. The INTO says it has been engaging with the Government but talks have failed. Wednesday’s strike will also include a rally at Queen’s University Belfast Student’s Union. Here’s the full story:
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Thousands of teachers across Northern Ireland could be walking out of classrooms in December as part of strike action as fair pay talks break down, says union.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) are balloting its 7,000 members for strike action as it claims talks between employers and the Department of Education have broken down. Gerry Murphy, INTO’s Northern Secretary, says teachers have had enough and the education system is at a crisis point. Here’s the story:
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Emma Heatherington is a Co Tyrone based author, scriptwriter of short films, plays and musicals, and busy mum, who is gearing up to have her ninth novel published.
Markethill High School, a Co Armagh school renowned for putting its pupils first, invited Emma to host an interactive literacy workshop for Year 8 pupils and their parents at a recent literacy evening. Emma has praised the school for placing such a high emphasis on literacy for all of the children attending Markethill High School.
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Markethill High School remains on the Education Authority’s priority list for a new build school. Since August 2012 the school has been campaigning for a new build school and sixth form.
The Minister for Education, Mr Peter Weir, has written to Principal James Maxwell to say he commends the ongoing good work at the school and says he hopes to visit the school imminently. The school says campaigning for a new build school and sixth form provision remains top of the agenda at Markethill High.
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Markethill High School has been leading the ‘Putting Pupils First’ campaign for almost four years. The school is campaigning for a new build school and a sixth form.
Last week, the school hosted a business breakfast to engage with the business community and update them on the campaign’s progress. The business community continues to stand together with the school in its drive to campaign for pupils so they get the school they deserve. Here’s the story:
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Ireland’s largest teachers’ union is expected to confirm it will launch a major lobbying campaign on a scale which is unprecedented in Northern Ireland.
Tomorrow begins the annual Northern Congress at Hilton Templepatrick where INTO Northern Secretary, Gerry Murphy, will speak about the scale of the union’s efforts in its bid to place education at the top of politicians’ agendas during the forthcoming election campaign. Read full story here:
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The Department of Education have announced a £150,000 investment for Markethill High School – a move which has been welcomed by the school.
Principal James Maxwell said the £146,300 investment for the provision of prefabricated accommodation shows the Education Minister is taking positive steps to provide better facilities for the school and its pupils. Mr Maxwell reiterated the school’s sights are firmly set on a new build and sixth form provision.
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There has been a lot of debate in Northern Ireland after the Education Minister John O’Dowd announced the Investing In Teaching Workforce scheme.
We interview a student teacher from Tyrone who says the scheme will give graduates like him some hope that there will be jobs available once they leave teacher training college. Jack Hughes from Killyman, agrees with the INTO that the scheme is a genuine attempt to help teachers who are not in full time employment.
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Teachers across Northern Ireland have been reaction to the proposed ‘Investing in the Teaching Workforce’ scheme which would potentially see a £33million investment in teaching.
The scheme, announced by Education Minister John O’Dowd, has been described by INTO as ‘a genuine attempt to create full time jobs. INTO representatives are in talks with the Department encouraging them to place teachers who are not in full time roles at the heart of the scheme.
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Markethill High School will host its annual Open Night on January 13 where the principal, James Maxwell, will welcome parents and prospective pupils to Mowhan Road.
The school has recently been identified by the Education and Training Inspectorate as a school which is one of the best in Northern Ireland for attendance rates. Markethill High School’s attendance is a priority in the school’s Development Plan and is key in the school’s pastoral system. Here’s the story:
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A senior official at the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation says the rights of substitute teachers in Northern Ireland are being side-lined because employers continue to ignore their rights.
INTO says sub teachers are being held at ransom because employers are not offering them full time contracts, and, in spite of having more than four years’ teaching experience, their rights are being side-lined. Tony Carlin of INTO says equalities must be addressed. Here’s the full story:
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Markethill High School is calling on the Education Minister to be transparent about his recent decisions in relation to requests for temporary variations in admissions.
The Minister refused Markethill High School and St Paul’s in Bessbrook but then did a U-turn on his St Paul’s decision which then saw St Paul’s being allocated an extra 24 places. The newly elected MP Mickey Brady described this as ‘Team Sinn Fein delivering for people on the ground’. Here’s the full story.
Read Full Story » The Minister for Education, John O’Dowd, and MP Mickey Brady have caused outrage over decisions and comments about school admissions.
Parents, pupils and the Board of Governors are furious that the Minister refused Markethill High School an additional seven places but awarded another school an extra 24 places. Parents are reeling also over comments made by the area’s new MP. The school is encouraging parents to take action. Here’s the full story:
Read Full Story » Ireland’s largest teachers’ union is predicting that job losses in the education sector will start snowballing in April with language specialists being the first victims of the cuts.
INTO’s Northern Secretary Gerry Murphy says children and communities in Northern Ireland will suffer because the Department of Education can’t manage its own budget. INTO is encouraging parents to campaign to retain teaching posts, to lobby politicians for investment.
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