TEACHER'S PET:Remember all that talk about how the new common school year would make things easier for working parents?

So much for those high-minded notions.

In a move which will dismay working parents (and who can afford not to work these days) most primary schools will close for a week in May.

The result? Huge childminding and logistical problems for working parents.

The common school year was supposed to end all this nonsense with clear periods for Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays - and common mid-term breaks in February and October.

The teacher unions even managed to secure more money on the back on this extra "productivity" - so how come the spirit of the common school year is already being broken?

And what does Minister Mary Hanafin make of this scandal?

ASTI's soft touch

It was all sweetness and light at ASTI's teacher conference briefing this week. ASTI president Patricia Wroe ruled out any robust action ( i.e. one-day strikes) over the funding crisis at second level. A groundswell of media support was needed, she said, before the union would even contemplate such a move. The union would prefer to campaign and lobby, she added.

The ASTI seeking the media's backing? Now, there's a first.

Whose CAO?

Does the CAO serve the public or the third-level colleges?

The CAO gave details of the number of students applying for the various courses last week, but no figures were released on the number of applications to each college.

Apparently, some colleges - and not just those in the institute of technology sector - are sensitive about falling numbers.

But, as these colleges are publicly-funded, doesn't the public have a right to know?

In the now customary fashion, the big winners - such as Maynooth, UL and UCD - wasted no time in spreading the good news. And good luck to them.

Yes, Minister?

One week to the teachers' conference and the big talking-point is how Mary Hanafin will be received by delegates. The Minister had "secret" meetings with the three unions a fortnight ago, but with no extra money in the kitty she was unable to promise much in the way of goodies.

Hanafin has received standing ovations at previous teacher conferences. John White of ASTI says her natural empathy with teachers will carry her through. But some in the INTO are less certain.