As Meja sang (I had to google her!), this episode is all about the money and it's all about the dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb decisions recently made by the Department of Education. I look at the School Book Grant, the Ancillary Grant, and look forward to the summer programme, all of which have had their funds cut.

This week we talk about the divestment of the first Catholic school to Educate Together, followed by the findings of the Grace report, indicating a discrepancy between the religious beliefs of teachers and their roles in Catholic schools. While one commentator blames the teachers, another blames the whole Catholic community.

Next, I discuss the Polish government’s ban on homework for primary students, questioning the relevance and format of homework in Ireland’s education system. I haven’t changed my stance since I recorded my podcast on the topic several years ago!

https://anseo.captivate.fm/episode/episode-39-scrap-homework

Lastly, I confess to warming to Minister Norma Foley’s stance against smartphones in schools, advocating for a broader approach that includes legislation to protect children from harmful content. While I don’t believe it’s the school’s role to lead on it, I’m very nervous of what the future generation is going to look like if we all don’t do something.

• 01:06 The Good Grace Report: A Deep Dive into Religious Control and Education
• 05:37 The Shocking Reality: Teachers' Beliefs vs. Catholic School Ethos
• 18:27 Rethinking Homework: Lessons from Poland's Bold Move
• 24:44 Smartphone Ban Debate: A Necessary Measure for Child Safety?
• 30:20 Wrapping Up: Reflecting on Education, Religion, and Technology

In this episode, I explore the landscape of primary education in Ireland, focusing on the outcomes of the INTO Congress, the ongoing conversations regarding gender identity in schools, and the looming uncertainties over the primary school book grant scheme. I delve into the controversies surrounding teacher compensation for overseas work, the dominance of religious control in education, and the societal response to gender identity within educational settings. Additionally, I express concerns over potential reductions to the primary school book grant scheme.