An insider's guide to education
That Noel Dempsey plan to re-introduce college fees remains on track despite the less than enthusiastic response from Bertie and Mary. One well-placed source told TP this week: "Do not underestimate Dempsey's determination to push this through. This guy is made of steely stuff".
The Dempsey plan received a boost when education guru Malcolm Skilbeck backed it last week. The logic of bringing back fees for the well-off is now accepted by university heads and virtually every educationalist. Who knows? Once Nice is out of the way even Bertie could still be persuaded.
The student campaign against fees is starting to hit home. USI have successfully set the media agenda. This is in no small part down to their spin supremo Conor Griffin who has fuelled the fire with plenty of attention grabbing press releases and photo ops.
What is happening up in the ASTI? After two years of hogging the media spotlight it is all quiet in Winetavern Street. Or is it?
TP hears that relations are still sour between the union's head honchos. The civil war continues.
Meanwhile, new president PJ Sheehy is rising above the whole messy business. PJ has been a model of restraint and good sense since he took up the post in the summer. But the hard-liners will be watching his every move at the special convention this weekend.
Incidentally, the ASTI hard-liners are none too please that the conference is clashing with the Nice referendum. So hold the front page? Don't think so!
All credit to Dublin City University, which has just opened its magnificent new Helix building. At a cost of €35 million, the Helix gives the northside of the capital a badly-needed arts and entertainment centre. TP believes this is money well spent.
The Northside has been a cultural wasteland for years. Say what you like about the elitism of the university sector, but at least DCU is reaching out to the local community.
The UCD succession race is intensifying. As predicted, the college's registrar Dr Caroline Hussey looks set to dip her toe in the water. But as reported by the college's Student Observer newspaper recently another candidate is also shaping up.
Professor Hugh Brady is also understood to be interested in the prestigious post. The Dean of Arts, Dr Fergus Darcy, is also likely to throw his hat in the ring. Current president Art Cosgrove is due to step down in just over 12 months' time.
Got any education gossip? You can e-mail us in confidence at teacherspet@irish-times.ie
