Second Level

News and advice on the second-level education system.

‘I was commuting from Meath for three hours a day, so I know that it can be hard’

Health students are getting involved in programmes which help their work life balance

‘The idea of students who go to class during the day and party in the evening is dying’

Many third-level students don’t have time to socialise or get involved in clubs and societies

Key dates for the 2025 Leaving Cert class to know

All you need to know about available places, viewing scripts and much more

Does the Leaving Cert prepare you for life? Singer Mary Coughlan and a school principal debate

Mary Coughlan has watched her children and grandchildren trying to fit into the Leaving Cert system, while principal John McHugh says it teaches key life skills

Cost of starting secondary school in Ireland now tops €1,100

Many parents worried about costs, with only 34% saying they will be manageable

Paper payslips for school staff to be dropped to save €3m a year

About 144,000 current and retired school staff are issued payslips by the Department of Education

Half of post-primary schools apply for phone pouch funding

Total of 380 out of 722 schools seek €25 per student for pouches, lock boxes

Back to school costs: Handy tips you can use to ease the financial burden

It’s an expensive time of year, but resourceful use of WhatsApp uniform swap shops and taking stock of usable existing items are among ways of cutting back

Q&A: Will survivors of historical abuse in schools be compensated? And who will be liable?

Initial inquiry found more than 2,000 allegations of abuse involving almost 900 alleged abusers at 300 schools

More than 1,800 teaching posts vacant amid ‘supply crisis’ for new school year 

Second level schools finding it ‘impossible’ to replace teachers on leave across key subjects

New school admissions system for second-level schools to be piloted in five towns in October

New approach will simplify enrolments in pilot areas such as Athenry, Celbridge, Clonakilty, Greystones and Tullamore, parents told

Leaving Cert party on Zante: ‘If I had children, I wouldn’t want them to go on a holiday like this’

Greek party island is buzzing this week with Irish teenagers enjoying blistering heat, booze cruises and beach parties

Thinking of private school for your children? Better start saving now

When should you start saving? ‘When a child is born’

Leaving Cert grinds industry: ‘Salaries scales for the top teachers can be 100 to 250 grand’

Teacher poaching rows and claims of ‘unsustainable’ wages are part and parcel of a highly competitive private tuition sector

Call for single law to support inclusive education for all school-age children

Review of special educational needs law finds 2004 Act fails to define inclusion

‘Uncertain future’ for students with mild disabilities over redesignation of special schools

Vulnerable children would be ‘pushed back into mainstream schools that have already failed them’, says principal

Mobile bans in schools do not have any impact on student grades or wellbeing, study finds

Findings come as Minister for Education Helen McEntee invites schools to apply for €9m for mobile phone storage

Schools told they cannot spend €9m phone pouch budget on other education needs 

Principals say funding should used for more pressing issues

Secondary schools face threat of industrial action after ASTI rejects Leaving Cert reform package

Second level teachers now divided after TUI voted to back measures last week

Leaving Cert student diary: ‘I’m running on adrenaline ... Albufeira, we’re coming for you!’

Our exam diarist was happy her favourite poet appeared but not with the ‘very specific’ questions on English paper two

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