Parents and students united in support for Junior Cycle

Joint Press Statement

The National Parents' Council post-primary (NPCpp) and the Irish Second-level Students’ Union (ISSU) stand together in support for junior cycle reforms.Issuing a joint statement acknowledging the significant movement by the Minister for Education and Skills to bring about a resolution of outstanding issues and to introduce long-awaited reform of the junior cycle. According to Don Myers, President of the NPCpp, “We have met the Minister in recent months and re-iterated our support for junior cycle reform while also raising the specific concerns of parents. Our main concerns related to certification and a degree of external oversight of classroom assessment.  The Minister said she would reflect on those concerns and her new proposal on junior cycle put before the Teachers’ unions clearly demonstrates that she is prepared to listen to concerns and produce proposals that address them. Craig McHugh a seventeen year old student and President of the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU) said, “Students are hungry to see this significant reform on the ground in our schools.  The current model isn’t fit for purpose.  Our Students deserve a modern learning experience, one that promises them real skills and actually educates. Instead of providing us with the ability to rote-learn, it provides us with the ability to actually learn. Students are the largest stakeholder in our education system, and as their national representatives, we have no doubt that this new way of teaching and developing young learners will be far better for our students". Concluding both Mr. Myers and Mr. McHugh said, “It is our joint view that the framework for junior cycle reform put forward by the Minister for Education and Skills provides a very sound basis for finally breaking the impasse that has staggered this process.  We would respectfully ask the teaching unions to return to talks – this package is good for students, good for parents and good for education.  We believe it should be given a chance”. *** ENDS ***Contact 01-443 4461 / communications@issu.ie

Address by Craig Mc Hugh, ISSU President at USI rally for education

Address by Craig Mc Hugh, ISSU President at USI rally for education

Fellow students, Trade Union members, Fellow partners in education, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends; I am proud to be standing here before you on the right side of history. On the right side of education.My name is Craig McHugh, I’m 17 years old and I’m a 5^th year student in Dundalk. I’m currently the president of the Irish Second Level Students Union; ISSU.I’d like to start off today with the fact that , a secondary student is given the opportunity to get up here and speak on behalf of his union and the students he serves to represent on the topic of just what education means to us and why it’s so important is phenomenal and a credit to USI. What I’m saying here is; The coalition that’s been established between USI, ISSU, TUI , SIPTU and IUFT and with everyone’s support today really paints a very positive picture that we all share in the view that education is quintessential to this country’s development and that education must be protected.Today I want to speak to ye on what education means to me , and what educations means to second level students.And I’m going to be honest. The majority of second level students will not appear to appreciate the value and importance of education to them, simply because… they’re so used to it.They’re so used to setting their alarms for 7am to get up, have a shower, eat the breakfast, catch the bus and sit through what they see as a gruelling 9 hours of torture, praying for a free class so they can avoid the intimidating glare of their Irish teacher or the reality that Project Maths doesn’t really do any justice for them.But what happens if we take that away from them, what happens if we make the cutbacks. Let’s look at what happened when we took away the career guidance from a number of secondary schools and left so many students bedazzled as to where they were going post leaving cert, or just why they get up every day at 7. Is it to face the grilling of the Irish  teacher on the mothucains of Geimhean and Dis or to sit through a maths class, declaring to yourself that you’ll never be a pilot or a maths scientist . You have students wandering around from class to class not really knowing why their there, and hence their motivation drops, because without the guidance they need so much yet don’t even know from their guidance councillors they really don’t know why their in school. They lose the value of education, and with that education may even lose them. I’m talking about drop outs, you ask any career guidance teacher in this country how they keep students from giving in to the life of benefits and dole queues from the day they turn 16 or 18 and they’ll tell you something along the lines of this ; “I motivate them , I give them a reason, I show them why they come into school and what they’ll get out of it , in the long run whether that’s helping them through the UCAS or CAO situation, finding them a plc or even helping finding them a job, I’m showing them just why the get up to come in here and why they’ll thank themselves in the not so distant future.” Ladies and Gentlemen we don’t appreciate a lot of things in this world,and we see a lot of things in this world as wants when in fact they’re indirect needs, and Guidance Councillors is just one of them. There’s so many more to this , especially in the education spectrum .  Now I’m going to talk to you about what education means to me, because I can imagine President Harmon is wondering what I’m getting at here and why I still haven’t answered the question that Liberty Hall has written all over it. For me #educationis the key. As cliché as that sounds, it really is. Education unlocks, sorry no, education knocks down the doors and barriers that are put before me and have been put before me yesterday, today and I know it will continue to do so tomorrow. Whether it’s getting lost after a night out in NICE and trying to order yourself a taxi but realising the company your on to doesn’t speak any English, I’m immediately taken back to the Junior Cert French Oral exam and boom, we’re sorted! Or what about basic budgeting? Its got maths and business written all over it! Or knowing my rights as an employee I’m immediately taken back to Junior Cert Business! And before I even get that job, I’d like to be able to sit through an interview and present myself well, It’s the newly implemented JCSA practical education system that’s going to help me there.As you can see education is important. Ever so , at grass roots or primary and secondary level.But we all know that, don’t we? That’s why we’re all here today? We’re here to make sure education isn’t seen as a want at any circumstance, and to outline it’s existence as a right and as a need for all in this country. But education only goes so far when it comes to knocking down barriers? In times like these, a university degree is almost a necessity for those wishing to purse senior or middle management positions and liver a comfortable lifestyle. But answer me this, how is anyone in this climate of redundancies and tax peaks for the middle class meant to get there with a contribution fee as high as €2750 ? Imagine this, you’ve decided you want to work in the world of events management, you’ve worked for the want of a better term your ass off and somehow managed to secure the 370 points you need for the UCD Course but all of a sudden you realise you can’t afford it. You can’t afford the fees, the accommodation or for that fact even the commute from Dundalk. The SUSI scheme won’t help you because your parents are just above the required salary that puts them in the bracket of middle class , and because of the insane taxes and levies imposed on them by the present government it means their real income can’t pay for your entrance into college? And what about the maintenance grant, well unfortunately there out of reach for someone like you too, why? Because the government hasn’t seen the importance of such a grant for those who need it, and are only focusing on who they THINK needs it.And can we look at the impact education has on a society. Just as this event has written all over it. Education is a benefit to society. An educated individual will know how to vote, and why their voting an educated individual will know how to support themselves and stand on their own two feet. An educated individual is an independent individual and one that can only give back to society. Education doesn’t just benefit the educators or the students, it benefits us all.If this country wants an educated workforce for the future, the type we love to boast about to the Europeans and americans and IT companies so eager to invest, it’s time we started showing it. It’s time we started showing we really want a well educated population.Because, We can talk all day about the value of education and what it means to me; but we need the government and those with power and finance to get behind the initiative that drives the future, that spells out initiative , that spells out enterprise and that spells out diversity, that takes in the young and spurts out into the real world the developed, the mature, the ready and the educated, We need people to get behind education more now than ever. We need to rid the ideology that education is expendable and that it is not a necessity . Because I’m telling you this now, as a 5^th year student who doesn’t necessarily see eye to eye with his irish teacher especially on the mochaneelach and stress of the scrudu beil, and doesn’t enjoy catching the 7:30 bus to sit through 9 hours of leaving cert coursework that I want the chance, and so many like me deserve the chance, deserve the right to have something to work for and that I want to know that I’m going to school for a reason, and the only way we’re ever going to get there is by getting those with the power and those with the finance to realise that #educationis important that #educationis not expendable and that #educationis the future.………………………………Education means the future for me, the future for ye and the future for this country, so it’s time we started acting like that. It’s time Education receives the priority it deserves and that it’s not touched when it comes to cutbacks in this October’s budget.Thank you all so much for your time, and with special thanks and consideration to USI who have put together an incredible event a fantastic “#educationis” campaign and to the executive who really are doing a great job in ensuring student voice and empowerment is a priority. And on behalf of all the students in second level education in Ireland thank you for hearing what we feel #educationis !Thank you!  

Kilkenny Student Brendan Power Elected to European Students’ Board

 The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is delighted with the news that Kilkenny student Brendan Power was elected to serve on the Board of OBESSU (Organising Bureau of School Students’ Unions) at a recent meeting in Vienna.  He will serve on the Board for the next two years. Brendan received his Leaving Cert results and hopes to work on the Board alongside his college studies for the duration of his term. Brendan Power said; “It is a huge privilege to have been chosen to serve on the Board of OBESSU, the platform for European School Student Unions.  The General Assembly took place in Vienna Austria with representatives from all over Europe. I, along with my colleagues on the Board will strive to further the interests of the students and build upon the solid foundations handed down from our predecessors.”

Exciting opportunity to join the ISSU team

Outline Job Specification

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union Limited

POSITION: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

This outlines the post of the ISSU Student Engagement and Development who will steer the development of research, communications and membership engagement of the ISSU.SALARY: €24,000 pro rata p.a.CONTRACT LENGTH:  Reporting to the General Secretary and to be employed on a fixed-term contract of two years, confirmed after successful completion of a 6-month probation period - subject to funding.WORKING HOURS: 35.00 hours (on a flexi-time basis).  Occasional out-of-office hours may be required.OVERVIEW:They will manage the daily business of the Head Office of the ISSU and coordinate the execution of ISSU policy, and is tasked with increasing ISSU membership.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaising with schools and student councils to develop and expand the membership of the ISSU
• Maintain ISSU databases
• Coordinating Student Council consultation sessions
• Development of resources for student councils
• Updating and maintaining ISSU social media outlets
• Assisting the ISSU National Student Executive in fulfilling their remit
• Promotion of iConnect Card
• General administration
• Advocacy and representation
• Education policy research and report writing
• Organisational development

PERSON DESCRIPTION:

• A minimum of one year’s experience with a youth or student organisation;
• Enthusiasm and commitment to ISSU’s objectives;
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent proven relevant experience;
• Some knowledge and experience of the Irish education system/voluntary/non-profit/youth work sector;
• Project management experience;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Comprehensive grasp of modern communication media;
• Motivated and driven;
• Demonstrable track record of building and developing relationships;
• Excellent copy writing, proofing, and information distribution skills;
• Excellence in communicating English in a variety of contexts;
• Excellent ICT proficiency;
• Demonstrate ability to work well in a team;
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
• Attention to detail, especially in an online environment;
• Ability and initiative to work independently and as a self starter.

The position is based at ISSU’s national office in Dublin. Hours are based on a 35.00 hour week and 21 days of holidays p.a. This post involves travel within the state with time off in lieu of working evenings/at weekends.A high level of integrity, accountability, confidentiality, responsibility and flexible, constructive engagement is required in carrying out these duties.The ISSU Child Protection Policy and Garda Vetting Procedures for the safeguarding of young people apply. The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is an equal opportunities employer. APPLICATIONS Applications should be in the form of a letter of application and CV. It should be submitted by email to recruitment@issu.ie with “STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER” in the subject line or post to: General SecretaryIrish Second-Level Students’ UnionISSU 9^th FloorLiberty HallDublin 1DEADLINE : 5pm on 2^nd September 2014 

Well done on your results!

PRESS RELEASE 13/08/2014

Well done on your results!

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union sends best wishes to class of 2014

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today.Speaking today, the ISSU President, Craig Mc Hugh said;"Regardless of what results lie in that envelope, remember all the dedication and hard work you put in, and that is what really counts.  The assessment methods in the Leaving Cert may not be tailored or suited to your best skill set, and if you are left in any way disappointed by your results, there are many ways into nearly every career path and now you can take your first steps.  I would like to congratulate everyone who sat the examinations; making through the final exam in school is in itself a major achievement and shows diligence and perseverance.  Be sure to take the opportunity to celebrate your five or six years of hard work."ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska added;“I would like to wish all students receiving their Leaving Cert results the very best of luck and I hope that all students are happy with how they get on. This can be a very stressful time but remember that this is just an exam and not the end of the world. For all of those worried about the results and their next steps please use the free phone helpline; 1800 265 165, which will be operated by guidance councillors for students and parents.”The ISSU urges students to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) exam helpline (1800265165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors if you are unsure of your options over the upcoming days.The ISSU is currently surveying students who have completed their Leaving Cert about their experience of the exams.  Students can complete ‘Leaving the Leaving Cert’ on issu.ie. *****************ENDS *****************Contact:Craig Mc Hugh, President: 086 270 8434, craig@issu.ieJoanna Siewierska, Education Officer: 085 702 7706, joanna@issu.ieISSU Office: 01-4434461, info@issu.ie Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie

Students' Union welcomes new Minister for Education

PRESS STATEMENT July 11th, 2014Students' Union welcomes new Minister for EducationThe ISSU today welcomes, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny’s announcement that Jan O’ Sullivan will be the new Minister for Education and Skills. The ISSU looks forward to engaging with the newly appointed Minister on all relevant issues that affect the Irish education system and the country’s second-level students.ISSU President, Craig McHugh, stated "Deputy O'Sullivan has the potential to make an excellent Minister for Education, and I would personally like to congratulate her on her promotion. We look forward to working with her, and are hopeful for continued innovation and progression as started by Minister Quinn over the past three years"."We hope to meet with the new Minister in the next few weeks and are hopeful that she will engage with and work with students as equal partners in Education".ISSU's, Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska said "I would like to congratulate Jan O'Sullivan on her appointment as Minister for Education and wish her the very best of luck. I am looking forward to working with her and the Department on key policy issues, and that she will engage working with us to increase students' participation in decision making. I look forward to meeting with her soon".*****************ENDS *****************