Education « Thurles Information

Tipperary Joint Libraries Upgrade Mobile Unit

Approval has been granted to the County Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee for the provision of a replacement library delivery van for County Tipperary.

Thurles Library

The grant to be provided, which will amount to €30,237.90 and this grant will go towards the purchase and provision of upgrading the present mobile library vehicle.

The accepted tender came from Surehaul (Irl) Ltd, and funding will come from the coffers of the Department of the Environment.

Local North Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry stated that this excellent scheme currently being provided by the Library Service would further enhanced the lives of the many people who currently used it, who would otherwise not be able to use the more conventional library services in North Tipperary.

He also stated that he hoped that the provision of this mobile library would further improve the service itself and he would encourage anyone who wished to avail of this mobile unit to immediately contact their nearest library to ascertain when the unit will visit in their area next.

GAA 125th Celebrations In Thurles

Michael Cusack 1847- 1906 founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association

Among the many functions being held country-wide to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association, is a novel idea arranged by a number of teachers in the Co. Tipperary Education Centre here in Thurles.

All of the primary schools in town were invited to submit projects to mark this special occasion, and the response from the students has been magnificent.

The results of their endeavours are on show in Tipperary Institute, and include videos conceived and produced by the students themselves, along with drawings, displays, pictures and essays.

All the work will be recognised on Wednesday 4th November in the Institute at a function to be attended by a number of dignitaries, including members of the Tipperary Senior hurling panel.

Now this is where the novel idea comes into being.

A number of local actors will stage a re-enactment of the very first meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association, held in Miss Hayes’ Hotel, Main Street, Thurles, on November 1st 1884, with a specially commissioned script based on contemporary accounts of the meeting.

It is hoped to have a link with the Michael Cusack Centre in Clare during the presentation.

This event promises to be an historical and educational evening.

Education Motion Passed By C Of I Diocesan Synods

The following motion was passed unanimously on current education cuts at the Church of Ireland conjoint meeting of the Diocesan Synods of Cashel, Ossory and Ferns Diocesan Synods meeting in the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford on 21st October, 2009.

Motion:

“That the joint synods of Cashel and Ossory and Ferns, meeting in Waterford on Wednesday 21 October 2009, wish to convey to the Minister for Education and Science:

Their extreme disquiet at the unilateral re-designation of Protestant managed voluntary secondary schools outside the ‘free’ sector.

Their concern that the full contents of the advice of the Attorney-General concerning the supposed unconstitutionality of the former financing arrangements is not being made available for open discussion.

Furthermore the synods would wish to express to Archbishops John Neill and Diarmuid Martin their gratitude for the forthright common Christian approach they have taken regarding this matter.”

This motion follows the withdrawal of over €2.8m in grants from Protestant schools because the payment was deemed ‘unconstitutional’ by the Irish Attorney General.

The Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen at Wolfe Tone Commemoration 2009

Requests by opposition party’s that Taoiseach Brian Cowen outline details of exactly who and why the Irish Attorney General’s advice was sought after 43 years of the Protestant Ancillary Grant being paid without problem, have been refused.

It is also reported that a request from the Irish Independent newspaper for all information relating to the decision reached has also been refused by the Department of Education.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, His Grace Dr Diarmuid Martin has stated that this grant aid to Protestant schools should not be cut. Roman Catholic fee-paying schools have had no difficulty with the funding Protestant schools have received in the past, he stated.

The last Budget also increased the pupil teacher ratio in Protestant schools from 18 to1 to 20 to 1.

In a hard hitting speech at the prize-day of Midleton College, Cork, the Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, the Rt Rev’d Paul Colton, contradicted the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Batt O’Keeffe’s version of the Protestant Schools dispute.

He stated:

“There has been much in the media since our last prize-day about schools such as ours. On this occasion when we celebrate the life of this school, and indeed schools like it, as Chairperson of the Board of Management, I take this opportunity to clarify one aspect of this sorry business.

Contrary to what the Minister for Education and Science has stated, the Bishops of the Church of Ireland, and those who work with us, have indeed responded to him since our meeting with him on 5th November 2008. Again and again, including in a Sunday newspaper article two weeks ago, in Dáil Éireann this week, in what has become a defensive mantra, the Minister says that he is still waiting to hear our proposals in response to the budgetary brutality and financial backstreet butchery inflicted on Protestant schools in last year’s Budget.

Continue reading Education Motion Passed By C Of I Diocesan Synods

Third Level Fees May Still Be Increased

Fine Gael's Enda Kenny and Noel Coonan discuss educational issues with Paidraig Culbert at Tipperary Institute, Thurles.

Fine Gael's Enda Kenny and Noel Coonan discuss educational issues with Padraig Culbert at Tipperary Institute, Thurles.

The renewed Programme for Government negotiated between Fianna Fáil and the Greens last week took the reintroduction of college fees off the table for the present, but there are now fresh worries that the Government will hike college registration fees instead.

Neither the Minister for Education, the Green Party Leader or the Minister for Communications have ruled out such an increase. This deception would not be above the bounds of this present government and one manipulative way of getting around their guarantee of not re-introducing college fees.

Last March Fine Gael outlined its position on the issue of higher education in a document called ‘Third Way’. The Party is committed to the introduction of a student contribution scheme based on students paying a certain percentage of their undergraduate degree course back to the state when they are in a position to do so.

North Tipperary Fine Gael Deputy Noel Coonan stated:-

“Cash-strapped families in North Tipperary are already struggling to send their children to college. Rising registration fees at this time will stop many from furthering their education. We have almost 1,500 people in North Tipperary under the age of 25 drawing the dole and the Government should be encouraging these people to upskill and instead of hindering them from doing so. Fine Gael believes that no new scheme of funding higher education is proposed by the Greens/FF and as such their response to the issue is totally inadequate. This Government hiked registration fees in the last budget from €900 to €1,500 which was a huge jump and a gargantuant blow to middle-income families. It seems to me that the Government will be considering a further increase which I believe is an inadequate way of funding higher education. We are opposed to the reintroduction of college fees because this would simply act as a barrier to required participation in higher education.”

Fine Gael has argued that the PRSI system provides a vehicle for ring fencing student contributions when a person has gained employment and can afford to make a contribution.

Storyteller Niall De Burca To Visit Thurles Library

Storyteller Niall de Burca

Traditional storyteller Niall de Burca will visit Thurles Library, Cathedral Street, Thurles on Wednesday next the 8th October 2009 at 2 p.m. This is a free event and is suitable for both adults and children and is promoted by Europe Direct Information Centre, Thurles Library.

Niall brings to life traditional Irish stories and rhymes that both entertain and enlighten his audience.

Raised in Galway on the west coast of Ireland and now living in Ireland’s capital Dublin, Niall is recognised for the diversity of his stories and with an ability to reach all ages. He is a familiar figure to many Irish children through his innovative school programmes. His “Storytelling As A Tool Of Education” workshops are highly recommended by educators. In May 2002 he received a Medal Of Excellence from the Heidleberg school district in Germany for his work with young authors.

Another important aspect of his work is the interpretation of museum and art gallery exhibitions. These include performances on the life and works of Max Ernst and kinetic sculptor Len Lye.

In October 2001 Niall produced the first storytelling series for the Museum of Country Life at Castlebar, County Mayo. At present he is creating a new collection of tales based on objects in the Museum’s collection.

In January 2004 he produced Blackwater Story stream, a peace and reconciliation initiative using storytelling to link together fifty schools in the border counties of Armagh, Monaghan and Tyrone. In November 2004 he directed Scéalta Shamhna, Dublin’s annual celebration of the oral tradition.

In 2005 Niall produced Tale Tellers, a CD of Irish teenagers relating traditional stories and rhymes.

Schools please note, this event should not be missed.