The AI Revolution – What’s Changing in Irish Schools?
As we move through the 2025/26 school year, the conversation around Artificial Intelligence has become a nationwide educational reality. From the smallest rural national schools in Kerry to large community colleges in Dublin, AI is no longer a sci-fi concept – it’s an active participant in the learning journey of Irish students. Here’s how the…
Michael
Can Dublin’s Teachers Afford Dublin?
If you’ve walked through a school staffroom in Dublin lately, you’ve likely heard a conversation that has nothing to do with the curriculum. It’s about rent increases and tiring commutes from Meath or Kildare. We are currently facing a Dublin Teacher Crisis, and at its heart isn’t a lack of passion for teaching – it’s the…
Beyond The Final Exam – Navigating Ireland’s New 40% Continuous Assessment
For decades, the Irish Leaving Cert was defined by a single, high-stakes fortnight of back to back exams in June. It was a marathon where two years of work boiled down to a few frantic hours of essay writing and problem solving. But for the Class of 2026, the landscape has changed. With the new Senior…
Every School Day Counts: Addressing the Rise in School Absenteeism in Ireland
The landscape of Irish education is facing a significant challenge as school absenteeism remains at concerning levels following the pandemic. While recent data shows modest improvements in some areas, the proportion of students missing substantial portions of the school year is still higher than pre-pandemic figures. For educators and parents, understanding these trends is the…
Irelands Primary Education Revolution – A New Curriculum For A New Generation
Irish primary schools have embarked on their most significant transformation in over a generation with the launch of the redeveloped curriculum in September 2025. The focus on the new curriculum will be on fun, active and hands-on learning, designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. The new curriculum is based…
The Back To School Clothing And Footwear Allowance – Now Open For Applications
Ensure your children are prepared for the new school year with this vital support. Find out if you’re eligible and if so how much you qualify for. Read on for key dates and information for 2025. Automatic Payments Good news! Over 114,000 families will automatically receive the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance this month. You…
What are Standardised Tests?
Standardised testing are tests that children take in Primary School. They begin in May/June for all children in 2nd class, 4th class and 6th class, but many schools use these tests in other classes as well. STen tests are exams that measure the level of the child in English and Irish reading and maths. They…
Minister Foley Launches New Anti-Bullying Initiatives In Irish Schools
Schools haven’t been “open enough” about the issue of bullying, Education Minister Norma Foley said as she unveiled new plans aimed at tackling the issue. She stated that schools and the Department Of Education would need to work harder if a child was not being included and was unhappy. New guidelines have been issued saying…
A Second Year Of Free School Books For Primary Schools
Norma Foley (Minister for Education) has announced details of the second year of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme which provides free school books to children in primary schools and special schools. More than 563,000 pupils in approximately 3,230 primary schools, (including over 130 special schools) will continue to benefit from this scheme. This initiative will continue…
World Book Day 2024 – LÁ DOMHANDA NA LEABHAR ÉIRE
World Book Day is back for its 25th year of promoting books and the love of reading to all. What’s it all about? World Book Day is a registered charity aiming to give every child a book of their own. It was started by UNESCO in 1995 to celebrate books and authors and to encourage…
Dress Up and support Christmas Jumper Day for Focus Ireland
Embrace the festive spirit and make a difference this holiday season by participating in Christmas Jumper Day for Focus Ireland. This annual campaign encourages individuals, groups, and organisations to don their favourite Christmas jumpers and organize fun activities to raise funds for Focus Ireland’s crucial work in tackling homelessness. This year, the appeal is not…
Applications are open for 36,000 young people born in 2005 to receive a free travel pass to explore Europe
The European Commission has launched the DiscoverEU programme autumn call, thanks to which 36,000 young people will receive a free travel pass to explore Europe. The application round will end on Wednesday 18 October at 11 am Irish time. To win a travel pass, young people are invited to apply on the European Youth Portal…
First-Ever Neurodiversity in Education Conference Invites Educators to Foster Inclusive Practices in Kilkenny
On Saturday, 7th October 2023, Kilkenny will welcome educators, parents, and caregivers to Ireland’s inaugural Neurodiversity in Education Conference, a professional event curated to enhance the inclusivity and support for neurodivergent students of all ages. Under the theme “Inclusive Practice,” the conference aims to be a nexus of knowledge and resource sharing among Ireland’s educator…
Government postpones plans for teacher-based assessment of Leaving Cert, blaming AI
Norma Foley ( Minister for Education) has postponed her plans to introduce teacher-based assessment for the Leaving Cert, blaming Artificial Intelligence. In her statement yesterday morning, Foley announced that the Department of Education was accelerating changes to the Leaving Cert Cycle, with the introduction of nine new and revised subjects coming two years earlier than originally…
Tips To Prepare For The First Day Of School
Whether your child is just beginning preschool or primary school, or starting into a new school year as a returning student, there’s plenty that can be done to prepare for the school year ahead, including checking in about their anxieties and concerns. As Summer winds down, it’s totally natural for kids to experience nervousness after having…
Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) – What is it, and how do you qualify?
What is the Back To Education Allowance and how do you qualify? The BTEA is a supplement for people who are unemployed, single parenting or with a disability already on other payments who want to go back to education. It is valid for courses that start in Ireland or Northern Ireland, but it can be…
Biopharmaceutical company AbbVie launches new schools prize to help spark an interest in STEM
Deirdre Clune MEP recently joined employees of the biopharmaceutical company AbbVie to launch a science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM)-focused schools prize The AbbVie STEM Prize encourages engagement in STEM-related learning. The company said it wished to showcase the exciting and diverse educational and career opportunities that can be unlocked for young people who develop an interest in these subjects….
What is the SUSI Grant?
The Student Grant Scheme is the main financial grant scheme for students studying in Ireland and also abroad. It is also known as the SUSI grant because the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the awarding authority for the scheme. There are two types of grants available Maintenance grants help students with their living costs….
What is the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA)?
What is the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA)? The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a payment which helps with the cost of uniforms and footwear for school going children. Applications for the scheme opens in June 2023 and the closing date for applications is end September 2023. This…
Coping With Exam Stress
The Leaving Cert & indeed the Junior Cert is always a stressful time for both parents and students alike. It can cause tension throughout the entire house; however it is a time when the student needs lots of support and encouragement. What can the student do to cope with the stress levels? In order to…