An insider's guide to education
• Talk about bad timing. The forthcoming release of school inspection reports is likely to coincide with the teacher conferences in April.
Signs are that the inspection reports will be much more rigorous than many assume. Chief inspector Eamonn Stack has, at last, secured the resources to beef up his inspection team. While not identifying individual teachers, aspects of the reports are expected to be hard-hitting.
The whole inspection process received an important boost last week when a Department of Education survey showed high levels of support among teachers. Yes, some teachers complain about the inspectors, but the survey revealed how the vast majority regard the process as fair and balanced. Expect Minister Mary Hanafin to remind the teachers of this during the teacher conferences.
• Interesting times at the Teacher's Union of Ireland (TUI) where speculation about the intentions of long-time general secretary Jim Dorney is reaching fever pitch.
Deputy general secretary Peter Mac Menamin has just applied for a five-year extension. A number of ambitious and talented TUI figures are waiting to see if Dorney, now approaching the big 60, will also want to stay on.
The union has no shortage of top calibre candidates for any vacancy, including MacMenamin and other senior figures such as John MacGabhann, Declan Glynn, Annette Dolan and impressive former president Derek Dunne. But will they be left at the altar?
• Various media luminaries, including George Hook and Matt Cooper, made it along to Mary Hanafin's splendid New Year's lunch .
It was , of course, at the Minister's instigation that Hookie - one of her own constituents - addressed the Cabinet during that famous get-together in Inchydoney, west Cork.
We love the story about how Hookie forgot to bring his suitcase back to Dublin. The Minister, apparently, was left with no choice but to travel out to his home on several occasions, suitcase in hand.
Eventually suitcase and Hookie were reunited. No wonder Hanafin is a poll topper. Talk about looking after your constituents.
Got any education gossip? E-mail us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie
