AS THOUSANDS of students began the search for accommodation after taking up third-level places, parents have called on colleges to allow families breathing space to pay their fees.

PLANS to introduce unannounced inspections in the country’s 730 second-level schools could face opposition from teacher unions.

THE head of the group representing second-level parents has urged teacher unions to end industrial action which is deepening a management crisis in schools.

SCHOOLS will have to foot the bills for teacher absences where staff are unable to return for classes which are resuming earlier than expected this week, according to Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe.

A PARENTS’ leader has said unions representing teachers should remain in talks instead of closing down schools in the proposed public service strike next month.

THE country’s third-level institutions may have to find further savings within their spending rather than raising registration fees for students next year, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe indicated yesterday.

PARENTS have given cautious backing to plans for a student loans scheme to replace free college fees, describing it as the best of a bad list of options.

PARENTS have warned Leaving Certificate students could be left with just days to change their college course applications if Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe announces the reintroduction of third level fees next month.

THE Bishop of Meath Michael Smith was among those to offer his condolences to the family of Michael White and the local community yesterday.

THE eight-week wait is almost over for 59,000 students who will receive their Leaving Certificate results tomorrow.

A PARENTS’ leader has rejected Education Minister Mary Hanafin’s claim that seat belts cannot be fitted on all school buses before September, saying that money was the only thing stopping their installation.

THE Government should continue to fund an umbrella body for second-level parent groups rather than funding each organisation individually, a major review has recommended.