Results 4,121-4,140 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

School Discipline. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: A misunderstanding seems to exist among schools in terms of the trend over recent years in the results of appeals under section 29. When these appeals were first made, a significant number undoubtedly were not favourable to schools. However, now that schools have proper procedures and policies in place, two thirds of decisions are in favour of schools and one third in favour of students....

School Discipline. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The task force is examining the effectiveness of the strategies being employed at present because good practices are in place throughout the country which can be built upon and used by others. The task force's investigation of effective practices in preventing or minimising disruptive behaviour will also guide us on the issue of bullying.

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Our schools promote, support and encourage healthy eating and physical exercise in a range of ways. Physical education is part of the curriculum at primary and at post-primary level and plays a key role not just in giving students an opportunity to exercise during the school day but also in encouraging a positive attitude towards physical activity which students will, hopefully, carry with...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: There are two significant ways of dealing with this issue, one of which is the provision of facilities. In all major extensions and new school buildings, particularly at second level, state-of-the-art gymnasia are being installed, including, for example, a balcony area with fitness equipment, which seems to be particularly attractive to teenage girls. Even though this adds substantially to...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I recently launched, with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, a fruit and vegetable initiative in a primary school in Brunswick Street. The aim of the initiative is to encourage young people to eat more fruit in the course of their day. There is much interdepartmental co-operation in this area.

State Examinations. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Standardised testing on a systematic basis has great potential to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for our students at classroom level and to provide valuable information for parents about their children's learning. It is clear that test results, provided on a sampling basis, can guide policies aimed at improving performance and combating educational disadvantage. I agree with the...

State Examinations. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I cannot see information from standardised testing being used in any way on the release of information. Information from standardised testing should be used for the benefit of children as learners and for the benefit of teachers. This information should be given to parents who could guide policy at national level, perhaps as a sampling basis. I would never envisage a situation where schools...

State Examinations. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I understand that approximately 90% of primary schools are already using some form of testing. We are aiming to ensure that teachers will use the test for the benefit of children, teachers and parents, and for the learning experience of children, not with a view to imposing further tests on children. At the moment, a number of different means are used for assessment. This will be one of them...

State Examinations. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: One of the benefits of putting in place in every school in the country special needs resource learning support teachers is that these facilities are now in place. By having these tests, teachers will be able to identify more accurately and more quickly the children who need extra support and, therefore, they will be able to refer them to the resource teacher who will be present in the school....

School Curriculum. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: There is a major emphasis in the primary school curriculum on our Irish culture, including music and dance. Pupils are encouraged to develop an awareness of Irish customs and traditions and to deepen their appreciation of the Irish identity. Throughout the curriculum and the accompanying guidelines, there are numerous examples and suggested learning experiences that draw on the Irish cultural...

School Curriculum. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: As I do in Irish dance.

School Curriculum. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: It has been a great pleasure for me over the past year or so to visit more than 200 schools. I am usually impressed by the emphasis being put on dance, singing and the Irish language. While one will get the Mamas and the Papas, and other such songs, in perfect harmony, one will also get the traditional Irish songs. I witnessed wonderful Irish dancing in Monaghan without the wigs and glittery...

School Curriculum. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: We would not have mapping of the areas involved. That is obviously a wider cultural issue for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. One may not think that my constituency of Dún Laoghaire, formerly Kingstown, would be a hotbed of great Irish culture, yet Comhaltas CeoltóiríÉireann has its headquarters there and hundreds of children attend every week for traditional music. Also the...

School Curriculum. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I agree with the Deputy. It has no bearing on the position of the school or the socioeconomic breakdown of the school as to what type of culture is taught or the involvement of the children. However, much depends on the interest of the teacher. That is the reason the summer programmes, the summer schools and literacy through the arts are hugely important for encouraging the teacher to pass on...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: My Department fully recognises the key role of physical exercise within the school environment and continues to respond to the need to improve PE facilities. The provision of such facilities is an integral part of the design process for new school buildings or where an existing school building is undergoing major refurbishment. New PE equipment such as balancing benches and gym mats are...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Their waking hours.

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from. Despite the fact that we are spending almost €500 million this year, stand-alone PE halls are still only a priority four. When one weighs up the needs throughout the country for classrooms, new schools, buildings for special schools, special units and so on, I cannot prioritise stand-alone sports halls any higher. We are building them in the...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: I have had a number of discussions with and good co-operation from my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue. In some local areas there is good co-operation between sports clubs and the schools. Where there is not co-operation, there can be terrible enmity and jealousy between schools in the one town. If one school happens to get a new building and a PE hall...

Physical Education Facilities. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: Obviously there are issues to be resolved about management and who is responsible for insurance, cleaning and so on. These issues are being examined.

Sexual Offences. (8 Nov 2005)

Mary Hanafin: The involvement of priests with national schools has generally been in the role of chairperson of the board of management or as visiting priest assisting a class teacher in the provision of religious instruction, for example, in preparation for First Communion or Confirmation. The rules for national schools require that the chairpersons of the boards of management visit their schools...