Funding issue tops teachers' conference

Class size, student discipline and pay will be put under the spotlight by hundreds of secondary school teachers later today.

More than 500 teachers from all over the country will attend the three day ASTI Annual Convention, which opens this morning at the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

Organisers said the need for significant investment in Irish second-level education will be the major theme of the event after a recent OECD study showed Ireland came joint last out of 29 countries in relation to second-level investment per capita wealth.

Health and safety in schools, whether school inspections disrupt exam preparation, the rights of part-time staff, and equality issues will also be discussed, while debates will focus on special needs education and supporting newcomer students who do not have English as a first language.

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy – a former second-level teacher and ASTI member – will announce the award initiative to second-level teachers attending the conference.

The organisation will honour the contribution of second-level teachers to Gaelic sport by presenting their schools with a special plaque.

“In the modern world, where our Association and other sporting bodies have to compete with so many counter attractions for the attention of our youth, the commitment, vision, and organisational ability of the teaching fraternity remains more important than ever,” said Mr Duffy.

“Teachers, at all levels have long offered training and games within a safe, structured environment. Indeed, the GAA might never have reached the 21st century were it not for the contribution of the teaching fraternity across the country.

“We hope that this new initiative will in some way record our gratitude to those who have helped us over the years.”

Meanwhile, the Union Students of Ireland is holding its Annual Congress in Co Meath, with an array of motions to be debated over the next three days.

The new Immigration Bill, EU Lisbon Treaty, the environment, minimum wage and the availability of the morning after pill will also be discussed by members at the Bettystown Court Hotel.

USI president Hamidreza Khodabakhshi said: “As we enter the run-up to the Lisbon Treaty referendum, students this week will be debating some very tough questions.

“Debates will focus on diversity and shared values. We will debate our relationships – to each other as Irish men and women, and to our fellow Europeans as citizens of the EU.

“The focus on achieving an optimal relationship with the EU is fundamentally connected to our agenda of celebrating diversity and shared values.”

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan will join hundreds of delegates and Benedicta Attoh of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) today to launch Intercultural and Anti-Racism Week.