Irish Second-level Students’ Union Welcomes Preservation of Pupil-Teacher Ratio
The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes the preservation of the pupil/teacher ratio in both post-primary and primary schools. The fact that other funds relating to second-level education have been preserved is also welcome.ISSU President, Mark Caffrey said that ‘the Government budget proposal is supportive to education and respects its great importance. In a time of unprecedented reform of the education sector it is important that the necessary funds for these reforms are provided.’He also stated that ‘Whilst the Haddington Road agreement is the main point of contention within the Education Sector it is important to note that the budget has maintained the current pupil/teacher ratio in primary and post-primary schools.The ISSU also glad to see that disadvantaged school communities will be protected from budget cuts this year.ISSU Education Officer, Robert O’Donnell stated that ‘the education aspects of the budget are welcomed by myself and many other members of the ISSU. The security of funding for DEIS schools is crucial for students in these schools, and we are glad to see that this funding will not be altered.’ The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes will work with all other stakeholders to maintain a quality education system in Ireland at second-level.
Second-Level Students' Union Calls for Further Talks to Avert Strike Action
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has today called on the Government and ASTI representatives to re-enter negotiations and exhaust every possible avenue in order to avoid the occurrence of industrial action.The ISSU believes that at some stage an agreement will be reached, and it is in everyone’s interests, especially students, that this is done before any industrial action affects schools.ISSU President, Mark Caffrey, said; “One way or another, a resolution will be reached at some point. Therefore we are calling on Government and ASTI representatives to enter further negotiations as soon as possible so that this can be reached before industrial action affects our schools.“If we reach a stage where ASTI members enter into industrial action, there will obviously be a negative impact on students in affected schools. This could cause great upset to some students, and we know from talking to students that they will already be worried about how industrial action could ultimately affect their exam results. Nobody wins if there is industrial action, and we want to see this matter resolved without any impact on students.”Education Officer for the ISSU, Robert O’ Donnell expressed his concern the cloud of industrial action will have on exam students in particular; “As education officer and as a second-level student I am very concerned by the threat of industrial action. It will have would have a big impact, especially on 6th year students who heavily rely on teachers the most on schools. Education has never been so important in this country and the classrooms need teachers in them giving students the education they need.”
Coming soon, national review of Transition Year programme
Irish Second-Level Students’ Union are working with the Department of Education and Skills on a national review of the Transition Year programme.The long-term future of the Programme is up for negotiation as part of the significant reforms to junior and senior cycle education. Our review will focus on the experiences particularly of students, but also of staff about how transition year works for them, how it could be improved, what are the benefits, do finances limit the ability of schools to maximise the benefits of the year etc.Further information will be announced over the coming weeks! Watch this space TY Poster
ISSU Welcomes New Anti-Bullying Procedures
The Irish Second Level Students’ Union has welcomed the launch of new Anti-Bullying procedures. These new procedures and guidelines, aimed at addressing and preventing bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying, and particularly cyper-bullying. This will be mandatory for all schools . ISSU Equality Officer, Conor Lynott, said; “These new mandatory procedures will greatly improve the lives of all of our young people in making the school environment a safe and happy place for young people to grow and achieve their full potential.” ISSU President, Mark Caffrey, said; "The steps taken by the Department have been very positive in recent years when it comes to bullying. Now that schools have had a good chance to look at the department regulations and recommendations it is clear that schools will no longer have any excuses for developing their own local policies on bullying. We wholeheartedly welcome the new regulations. These reforms fit perfectly into the ethos of our second-level schools and are built around the action plan on bullying which the ISSU had a direct role in developing".
CSPE Action Project Initiative : Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland
IHRC invites CSPE students to submit human rights and equality images for national exhibition
Ensuring that everyone can live "equal in dignity and rights" is at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Young people can play an active role in making this principle a reality and in doing so help build a culture of respect for human rights and equality in Irish society. The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is inviting CSPE students to promote human rights and equality in Ireland through images, words and action. We are asking you to use your CSPE Action Project to demonstrate what human rights and equality mean to you and to display your work in your school or community for others to see, and at Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights and Equality in Ireland, a national exhibition organised by the IHRC at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield Dublin 7 from 25 March to 4 April 2014. The Express Yourself! initiative is being organised by the IHRC in collaboration with the Association of CSPE Teachers (ACT); Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU); the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST); and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). See last year’s exhibition and find out more about human rights and equality in Ireland at www.ihrc.ie/cspe. Closing date for entries is 29 January 2014. For further information please contact Fidelma Joyce at the IHRC. Tel: 01 8589601 or email: expressyourself@ihrc.ie 
ISSU Congratulates Students on their Junior Cert Results 2013
PRESS STATEMENT
Irish Second-Level Students' Union Congratulates Students on their Junior Cert Results 2013
Today the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) would like to wish all those receiving their Junior Certificate results today the very best of luck. However, the ISSU would also like to appeal to students to be responsible and mindful to others in their celebrations.Results this year are broadly in line with previous years, and we are happy with the steady increases seen in the number of students taking maths at a higher level with the project maths syllabus.The ISSU encourages all students to enjoy celebrating their well-deserved results, but to do so responsibly and to stay safe.ISSU Education Officer, Robert O’Donnell said: “Getting your Junior Certificate results is an important milestone in most young people’s lives and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all students on their well deserved results. We were particularly interested in the increase in students opting for higher level maths, and we look forward to analysing the results of our project maths survey to get a full picture of students’ experiences of the new syllabus”.ISSU President, Mark Caffrey said: “Like lots of students across the country, I too will be receiving my junior cert exam results after three years of hard work that has led up to them. It is great to see more students taking higher level maths, and hopefully this will feed into a similar trend in the senior cycle.“I’d like to congratulate all students on their hard-earned results, and encourage everyone to stay safe if they are celebrating tonight”.If students have any issues, they can contact the ISSU on studentvoice@issu.ie / 01 443 44661 *****************ENDS *****************