ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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The ASTI welcomes the publication today of the ESRI report Behind the Scenes? A Study of Parental Involvement in Post-Primary Education.

 

The report finds that Irish parents play a very important role in their children’s education. It also finds that parents are broadly satisfied with their children’s education and are particularly positive about the benefits of education to children’s social and personal development.

 

ASTI General Secretary Pat King said: “It is well recognised that the participation by parents in their children’s schooling leads to educational and other benefits for those children .The ASTI further believes that participation by parents benefits the entire education community. Parents and teachers of second-level students have common interests and concerns – namely the education and wellbeing of students. Parents and schools also a joint interest in working for a progressive, vibrant, adequately-resourced education service which meets the needs of all children.”

 

“Today’s report affirms that Irish parents value education and schooling. The fact that parents are particularly positive about the benefits of education to their children’s social and personal development is a reflection of the commitment of Irish teachers and schools to delivering a holistic education which values and nurtures the whole individual and seeks to offer a wide range of experiences to all students.

 

“Concerns raised by parents in this study about the need for increased career guidance services were raised in another recent ESRI study. It is imperative that we address the level of guidance counselling resources available to second-level schools,” said Mr King.  

 

The ASTI also notes the ESRI statement that computers should be integrated into the broader curriculum. “Promised funding for IT in second-level schools must be allocated in a timely manner to enable schools and teachers to integrate IT across the curriculum and ensure all young people have opportunities to increase their IT literacy. This is essential for the development of knowledge society and economy,” said Mr King.

 

 

 

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