TY GRANTS RETURN:Schools struggling to fund their Transition Year programme may be relieved with the restoration of Transition Year grants to September 2008 levels. The revised Programme for Government, negotiated between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, makes a total of €5.35 million available for Junior Certificate, Leaving Cert Applied, and TY.
At least one school axed its TY programme as a direct result of the cuts, with many more curtailing specific programmes and cancelling school trips and excursions. The funds may place TY back on an even keel.
DANCE4LIFE
With World AIDS Day (Dec 1) approaching, Dance4Life is a HIV/AIDS and sex education programme for young people, offered free to secondary schools. Music and dance are used to engage young people with the issue of HIV/AIDS and the programme provides an opportunity to link up with schools from around the world. For more information, see dance4life.ie
WHAT DOES EU DO?
The closing date for entries in the European Commission’s essay competition is October 30. The essay title, “What’s this European Union thingy doing for me?”, encourages students to develop knowledge and awareness of the EU and it affects their lives. Approximately €25,000 worth of prizes are available for winning students and schools.
For more information, visit talktoeu.ie/en/Schools-Essay-Competition/
