[dambarude]

Mary I has been getting some bad press lately (most of it justified to some extent at least). It's in it again today, relating to the role of the Catholic Church in the College (The Irish Times), and the role of teacher 'training' colleges in general (again, in The Irish times).

The first article makes some interesting points about the governance of the college, given it is funded publicly:

Mary Immaculate, for example, is managed by a board of trustees: the Most Rev Dermot Clifford, archbishop of Cashel Emly; Sr Peggy Collins, Congregration of the Sisters of Mercy (CSM); Sr Breda Coman, CSM; Sr Thomasina Finn, CSM; Richard B Haslam; Very Rev Tony Mullins, administrator of the diocese of Limerick; Most Rev William Murphy, bishop of Kerry; and Margaret O’Brien.

These trustees appoint the governing body of the college, which controls all affairs of the college, including appointments. The trustees also appoint the president of the college. Posts in two areas – religious education, and theology and religious studies – are also subject to approval by the trustees.

the second one is more general about the future of any of the teacher education colleges:

The review will put smaller colleges under pressure to link up or amalgamate with larger universities. It is also expected to back the establishment of “institutes of education”.

These will provide all levels of teacher education on one campus at centres of excellence around the State. Courses for pre-primary, primary and second-level teachers at undergraduate and postgraduate level could be rolled out in one location, according to education sources.

I've mentioned it here before, but changes are most certainly afoot for Mary I. Changes in every dimension too, not just in ethos and RE provision.

[Poxyshamrock]

Interesting read. Nice find Dambarude.

I have to say I found Michael Hayes' inauguration speech a bit preachy myself but at the same time, anytime Ive met him he seems like a genuinely nice person.

[dambarude]

Re changing teacher training colleges into 'institutes of education', Mary I is actually 2/3 of the way there. It already has an early child care course (pre-school), the B.Ed obviously (primary), and UL covers a lot of secondary education. Some amalgamation there would deliver one of these institutes fairly quickly. I don't know what that would mean for the BA though.

Mary I is probably safer than the other small colleges due to its location, being away from Dublin, and because it is the biggest of the primary teacher education colleges. It's also linked with UL already, but that link could grow. CICE and Marino could be in trouble, as the article pointed out.

The role of religion in the college is going to come under some serious pressure though. I've read in at least three separate articles about Minister Quinn 'moving uncomfortably in his seat' during the President's speech. You'd think they'd come up with some other way of saying it.

[peckerhead]

Originally Posted by dambarude

I've read in at least three separate articles about Minister Quinn 'moving uncomfortably in his seat' during the President's speech.

He wasn't the only one.

And then we get something helpful like this from the "President Emeritus".

[dambarude]

To be honest I personally have no issue with the college being of a Catholic ethos as long as it doesn't impinge on students who are not of the same persuasion.

Prof. Cremin refers to Mary I and the other denominated colleges as "faith-based institutions". I'd like to know in what tangible way that is shown in them, save in physical structures (e.g. statues), more masses and the members on the governing body. The B.Ed in Mary I, of course, spends far too much time on religion. But that appears to be due to legacy issues, and will change with the roll out of the new B.Ed. The BA in Mary I seems to me have no religious input if you're not studying Theology. I can only presume that none of the Masters or Doctorate programmes are tinged due to the "faith-based" nature of the institution.

Much of the objections may be based on principle, and I can understand that. But in practical terms does it make much difference (RE in the B.Ed aside)?

To me, and it might only be me, the college is not much different to others. The biggest differences occurs due to the small size of the college, not its ethos. I'd love to hear other opinions on this!

[dambarude]

Another article about Mary I and religion. It's more positive this time, but is still suggestive.

[Cailin CoisFarraige]

Originally Posted by dambarude

The B.Ed in Mary I, of course, spends far too much time on religion. But that appears to be due to legacy issues, and will change with the roll out of the new B.Ed.

(RE in the B.Ed aside)?

There is definitely too much emphasis on RE in the current B.Ed. programme, but I've always felt this was not on the insistence of the college itself. The 1999 curriculum allocates 30 minutes per day to Religious Education. Science is allocated 1 hour in the entire week. It's not something I personally agree with but it's the reality of the curriculum and surely it's logical that the lecture hours for these subjects reflect this.

The Cert in RE is what adds heavily to the Religion hours. Again, this is not a requirement of the college, or the degree, but from the patrons of Catholic-ethos schools.

[McSween]

Originally Posted by dambarude

Quinn 'moving uncomfortably in his seat' during the President's speech. You'd think they'd come up with some other way of saying it.

The college is approaching squeaky bum time I reckon

[dambarude]

Slightly more positive mention of the college for once:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...320253539.html

[Chloris]

Everybody seems to gain from a deal like that.

I can't help feeling like there's a catch; does anybody see one? I hope there's none, because if there's not then it's a really nice thing for Mary I to do.

[dambarude]

Originally Posted by Chloris

Everybody seems to gain from a deal like that.

I can't help feeling like there's a catch; does anybody see one? I hope there's none, because if there's not then it's a really nice thing for Mary I to do.

After that article several other colleges announced the same deal. The only catch is the interest repayment, I would think.

[Chloris]

But it's reduced! So it's better than just getting a loan from a bank. No, seriously, I'm happy about that; that's a really good deal on the part of the colleges involved. Fair play.

[Icarus Wings]

Teacher training colleges are said to merge after Ruairí Quinn accepted proposals from a panel of experts. For Mary Immaculate, this means a more official integration with UL along with teacher training in LIT. It's important to note that this is currently only a recommendation.

Further details are here.

[dambarude]

I think Mary I will be safe Icarus Wings:

The Review Panel appreciates that the recommended integration of MIC into UL, together
with teacher education at LIT, will require negotiation with regard to the location/relocation
of programmes, students and personnel. It understands that the campus at MIC has been
greatly enhanced and extended over recent years and may be the appropriate location for
the new centre for teacher education

Mary I/UL seem to have gotten a good report card, as the alliance is being proposed as a hub for the other centres.

It further recommends that
the integrated UL/MIC entity should be nominated as a Centre of Excellence for Teacher
Education as referred to in the introduction to Section 6.

A sigh of relief for some of the Education staff? It won't be good for the Liberal Arts staff though.

[Icarus Wings]

Judging by various media reports, the proposals do seem to have more significance for the institutes based in Dublin (St. Pat's, DCU, Trinity, UCD etc).

Originally Posted by dambarude

A sigh of relief for some of the Education staff? It won't be good for the Liberal Arts staff though.

True. It's a shame to see that greater developments in the Liberal Arts element of the college are not occurring as well...