Ireland's Education ratings plummet, in PISA International Rankings

[Luachara]

But the other countries we are measured against, such as the USA, UK, Sweden, etc, have been dealing with immigrant children for years. Perhaps the lack of immigrants in Ireland previously just covered up how bad our education system was.

We have recently slipped in the PISA rankings. Something has influenced this slippage. We must find what the causes are and address them. Suggesting this is an old problem newly discovered is not likely to lead to progress.

[alloverbartheshouting]

Second (5) point is absolute social snobbery and generalisation of the worst kind , you complain about a mere €500,( plus plus plus) try 188 before being such a snob

So, you work in a DEIS Band-1 school do you? You have direct experience of bright children (in the boom years) saying to hell with college as they they see their parents with a good standard of living from the dole? If not, then retract that statement.

Also, where did I complain about my pay? And what do you mean by plus, plus, plus? I was stating a fact. If I have to take another pay cut, I'll happily do so - you see, I care about this country and more to the point, I care about my pupils.

I have much better things to do than come on to p.ie to pick fights, but it annoys the hell out of me when posters decide that they have the first clue about eduction when in fact all they love is a bit of old teacher bashing.

[alloverbartheshouting]

Was there a point hidden deep in there?

I didn't think it was hidden, but if I must....

You do talk a lot of sh*te at times.

[ger12]

What infrastructure gap?

The reality is we did not put in enough resources to deal with the tens of thousands of immigrant children to give them a grounding in english. We are asking such children to learn Irish.

Australia scores much better even with it's immigrant children. Maybe our teachers are unable to cope.
"Teacher not class size key to results"
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OECD Education Rankings – 2011


OECD Education Rankings – 2011 « Signs of Our Times

[Luachara]

We should introduce IQ testing in schools to exclude the possiability of a change in the ability of our children. Could it be linked to a rise in heavy metals in the water supply?

[Luachara]

Australia scores much better even with it's immigrant children. Maybe our teachers are unable to cope.
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OECD Education Rankings – 2011


OECD Education Rankings – 2011 « Signs of Our Times

Where do the Australian Immigrant children come from?

[Sister Mercedes]

Where do the Australian Immigrant children come from?

South East Asia, mostly.

[ger12]

Many Children moved here from countries with lower rankings. That must be one explanation. This issue has not been considered and resources. A great deal of resources might be required to bridge the gap, if it is possible to bridge.

How many children attend school in this state and how many of them are immigrants?

[Berchmans]

We pay our teachers above the OECD average

Teachers paid above OECD average - The Irish Times - Tue, Sep 13, 2011

Er, perhaps you should actually read your link before posting it.

To give you a quote from this link: "The report is based on data compiled in 2008 - before public service 6.5 per cent pay cut and the 7.5 per cent cut in pensions."

Also, teachers in Ireland work longer hours than the OECD average:

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/60/51/48631419.pdf

[alloverbartheshouting]

We should introduce IQ testing in schools to exclude the possiability of a change in the ability of our children. Could it be linked to a rise in heavy metals in the water supply?

Ah hear. You have just reduced your potentially interesting thread to a load of old cobblers. The above comment tells me the following:

1) You know nothing about education.
2) You think you know everything about everything.
3) You've been smoking something funny.

Mind you, I don't know why I bothered even reading the OP - aren't you the cheerful chappy who started the Angelus and RTE thread?