Coughlan criticises teacher standards

Trotter · 17-02-2011 5:56pm #1

Coughlan criticises teacher standards

This is just a final dig from a minister who has zero respect for people who try their best to teach.

New children from other nations that dont speak English got 2 years of extra 1-1 or group teaching, maybe a couple of hours a week. They then go back into the mainstream classes without extra help. Added to that, children who had special needs who used to have Special Needs Assistants. Cutbacks there too.

Consider classes of 30+ children, with special needs children mixed in without proper assistance, and children who dont have English as a first language and who speak another language at home, with a curriculum designed to be hands on and utilised by small groups of children.

Theres no surprise that literacy and numeracy isnt what it could be.. and although there are teachers who've lost their motivation for the job, the vast majority will be so sick of hearing comments from 'our betters' in the Dáil like this.

Are the politicians actively trying to drive the motivation out of all teachers?

delta_bravo · 17-02-2011 6:07pm

Minister for Education Mary Coughlan has said teachers entering the classroom do not have the "requisite skills" to boost literacy and numeracy standards.

And what has she done to stop this? She drafted an act to make it easier for people to get into teaching without even a diploma in education.

I really don't know what she is still doing as their education spokesperson. Should be Hanafin or someone with expertise in the area.

pooch90 · 17-02-2011 6:16pm

I know it may be un-PC or controversial to say so but i see a link with the introduction of the 1999 curriculum also. I know it has many benefits with diversity of subjects taught and fostering various talents within the kids, more hands on approach etc.

However, I find it next to impossible to ensure my 30+ grasp all the basics properly when we have to rush the lesson to ensure the other 8 subjects are all getting their alloted time.

(Speaking from Primary point of view obviously)

E.T. · 17-02-2011 8:21pm

Completely agree pooch90. It's ridiculous trying to teach 12 subjects and expecting higher standards in Maths and English.

Kristopherus · 17-02-2011 8:24pm

Don't know why the worry about any of her utterances. Latest news from Donegal is that she could well lose her seat:):):)

UnLuckyAgain · 17-02-2011 8:36pm

Coming from the woman who referred to the Green Party as "na Glasraí", I find this hilarious.

Rosita · 17-02-2011 9:27pm

The problems with these league tables of numeracy and literacy is that they are not accompanied by tables of resources/pupil:teacher ratio etc so that the real relative performance can be measured. By all means criticise teachers if such criticism is justified but at least justify it.

To be honest going on about improving teaching methodologies is wasting your sweetness on the desert air while you stand over a situation where there are thirty plus students - many of whom will always be talkative and uncooperative and thrive in large numbers - in a classroom.

Lord TSC · 17-02-2011 9:38pm

Are the politicians actively trying to drive the motivation out of all teachers?

Nah. They're just trying to drive us out of the country. That way their unemployment figures go down and they can continue to pretend there's not a problem on their end...