On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Máire spoke with Jim Moore from the National Parents Council –Post Primary. Teachers say they are unprepared for the new Junior Cert syllabus – which will be phased in for first year students as of September 2014. The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn says the new syllabus will focus on project work and practical learning rather than a state exam. But the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland says the training and resources on offer are not sufficient – and it’s raised concerns that under the new regime, the first formal state exam students will face will be the Leaving Cert.
Maurice Buckley – Peter O’Reilly of the National Standards Authority of Ireland also joined the show ahead of Hallowe’en as parents can – without realising – put their children in danger at this time of year by buying sub-standard products. As families prepare to shop for fancy dress costumes and accessories, NSAI asks parents to look out for safety labels and standards. NSAI invites members of the business community and the general public to get involved in the development of standards by visiting Your Standards, Your Say on www.nsai.ie.
Bernard Purcell is the Editor of the Irish World Newspaper in London and told us the latest from the UK and what’s affecting the Irish community – in particular – the storm that claimed the lives of 5 people, including a Waterford native this weekend and the latest developments in Operation Yew Tree.
Aoife Madden from Ennis Development Forum and Grainne Loonam were in studio to talk about the inaugural Ennis Festival of Light, which is set to take place the weekend of November 15th and 16th. The festival is a gathering together of Ireland’s most prominent leaders, teachers and explorers in the fields of mindfulness, self development, self awareness and spirituality to harness their energy, awareness and light under the umbrella name of "The Ennis Festival of Light”. Organisers are planning to put Co Clare and in particular Ennis on the national and International map as being at the center of this particular field of study and over the next 5 years grow the festival into a gathering of excellence in the fields of mindfulness, self development and spirituality inviting leading teachers from all over the world. For more info email [email protected] or see their website – www.ennisfestivaloflight.com
Award-winning mimic Oliver Callan was also a guest of the show today. Oliver is live on stage at UCH Limerick on Saturday November 2nd. The controversial mimic returns with a brand new show satirising the hot topics of Irish politics, sports and entertainment with live musical performances. Featuring a new array of characters from Katie Taylor to Rory McIlroy and Alan Shatter to Liam Neeson, as well as old favourites Taoiseach Enda and President Michael D Higgins; a huge range of issues will get the Callan treatment in the post-Budget topical and biting live show on November 2nd.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
