Rapid reading summary – Education;
University urges drink retailers to call time on booze deals for students
Belfast Telegraph – The University of Ulster has called on retail drink outlets not to target cheap drinks promotions at students over the St Patrick’s Day period.
The appeal comes a day after the Environment Minister warned Northern Ireland’s pubs and clubs they must end cheap alcohol deals.
€1.5bn spend to prioritise new schools
Examiner – The Government outlines plans for dozens of new schools as part of a €1.5bn construction programme. But a dwindling capital budget and rising birthrates in larger cities and towns mean the bulk of Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s school building fund up to 2016 will focus on new schools and extensions, rather than upgrades of sub-standard buildings.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/15bn-spend-to-prioritise-new-schools-186828.html
30 retired inspectors not replaced.
Examiner – Almost 30 school inspectors who have retired in the last four years have not been replaced. The Department of Education inspectorate mostly conducts routine and unannounced visits to the country’s 4,000 primary and second-level schools. It also advises Education Minister Ruairi Quinn on policy, conducts research and helps schools improve on weaknesses.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/30-retired-inspectors-not-replaced-186830.html
Sick pay alert for 1,000 teachers who took 90-260 days off
Irish Independent – More than 1,000 teachers were warned last year that their pay was at risk of being withdrawn if they took too many sick days.
These primary and secondary school teachers had been absent for between 90 days and 260 days in the past four years. They were warned that if their level of absences exceeded 365 days in a four-year period, their salary payments would be halted.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/sick-pay-alert-for-1000-teachers-3046664.html