An insider's guide to education

• The High Court battle between Charlie Lennon and the ASTI will resume next Monday. Lennon, the general secretary, is seeking an injunction preventing two officers of the union - president Pat Cahill and vice-president Susie Hall - from proceeding with an investigation into alleged bogus expenses claims. The inquiry followed a complaint made by ASTI treasurer Patricia Wroe. In broad terms, Lennon says those conducting the inquiry have shown ill-will and prejudice against him. But Cahill and Hall deny this, saying they have followed union procedures to the letter. Irrespective of the outcome of the case, most now believe that Lennon will vacate his post within the next year. After 13 years at the helm - and three years of bitter internecine feuding - he may decide to exit, stage left. The union's deputy general secretary, John White, would be the clear front-runner for the post, should a vacancy arise. White is unique within the ASTI as he is liked and respected by both the Lennonites and the group that opposes the embattled general secretary. White is clever and well-informed. Crucially, he is a highly articulate and persuasive broadcaster. After this bruising period, many will see him as a unifying figure who can help to heal the divisions. Others who may be interested in the post might include the former national organiser, Noel Buckley, who has demanded radical reform in the ASTI. The unanswered question, of course, is whether former ASTI president Bernadine O'Sullivan would put her hat in the ring. O'Sullivan ran in the Senate elections last year but her profile has dropped in recent times.

• That 80-strong business and educational delegation to China includes the Minister, Noel Dempsey, and a host of senior figures. Other guests include Andrew and Peter Kearns from the Institute of Education, the State's best known grind school. Yes, both are sons of the venerable Ray Kearns, the 70-plus founder of the Institute, who hails from Ballaghadreen, Co Roscommon. Under the agreement, 50 Chinese students will complete a one-year Leaving Certificate course at the Institute in Dublin. After that, the students are expected to enrol in Irish third-level colleges.
• Speaking of private enterprise. . . Last week, Simon Coveney of Fine Gael asked Noel Dempsey about Hibernia College and its new on-line teacher training programme. Coveney wanted to know how much the programme would cost the taxpayer. The Minister replied that there was no cost to the Exchequer since Hibernia is a private college. One senior education source commented afterwards; "Let's hope McCreevey did not notice that; otherwise we could all be privatised!"

Got any education gossip? Email us, in confidence, at teacherspet@irish-times.ie