An insider's guide to education: Why did Mary Hanafin come out so strongly in favour of an investigation into the alleged goings-on at UCC?
Hanafin's stance surprised many as college president Gerry Wrixon's appetite for radical change at UCC had made him the Government's favourite academic, a distinction (?) he had shared with UCD's Hugh Brady.
Hanafin worked hard to secure Wrixon his much sought after extension beyond normal retirement age last year - even though this was furiously opposed by the anti-Wrixon camp in UCC.
But, like everyone else, she was taken by surprise when Wrixon - shortly after winning that extension - signalled his intention of retiring next January.
UCC, apparently dashed off a communication to the Higher Education Authority requesting the authority to inform the Minister of Wrixon's decision to retire.
But the communication never reached its intended target.
The Minister's response to all of this ? Let's just say Government ministers like to be kept in the loop.
Never underestimate the power of advertising.Thirty teachers from Denmark on a study tour of Ireland spent last Wednesday visiting primary schools in Dublin.
In one they spoke to the children about life in Denmark. When it came to questions afterwards, the only thing the Irish kids wanted to know was "Do Danes really hate to see Carlsberg leave?"
Some 25 schools with serious disciplinary problems have already put their hands up and asked the department for expert help.
The schools want the new Behaviour Support Teams to help them deal with the troublemakers. The Department hopes about 50 schools will come forward and ask for help. But don't bet on it.
Many principals are worried the reputation of their school could be damaged locally if they are seen to need expert help with discipline. The new teams, will organise so called "sin bins" where unruly pupils will be helped for a brief period. But getting schools on board could be a major problem.
Brigid McManus (right), the secretary general in the Department of Education, made a very positive impression on delegates at the recent principals' conference.
McManus, a former assistant secretary in Finance, spent two days at the conference mingling with delegates and taking note of their comments and observations.
McManus was a surprise appointment to the top job Marlborough Street two years ago. But she has already made a huge impression, not least on university chiefs, who credit her with a new-found attention by the Department to third-level matters.
One said: "Education is no longer the Department for schools and teachers and McManus deserves much of the credit for this."
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