Lugging stuffed schoolbags is uncomfortable and could even damage your child. Deirdre Reynolds gets some practical advice on lessening that load.

Primary school principals are meeting today in Dublin, at the biggest conference of its kind in Europe.

PROBLEMS like leaky roofs, backed-up toilets and missing slates may become a major issue for primary school principals following a decision to axe a special “repairs” grant from the end of this month.

PRIMARY school principals have asked for a revision of the Stay Safe programme to cover text bullying after a survey showed 37% of eight year olds now own mobile phones.

The Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe will face an angry audience this morning.

THE proposed closure of around 1,000 small primary schools should only happen if it can be justified for educational reasons, a parents’ leader has said.

THE state money given to parents for childcare costs could be used more effectively to help reduce infant class sizes, principals have suggested.

PRIMARY school principals spend up to one-quarter of their school day trying to balance the books instead of teaching or leading pupils’ education needs, research has found.

Education Correspondent Niall Murray reports from the Irish Primary Principals’ Network conference at the INEC Killarney