We’re starving, say private schools
MASERU-OWNERS of private schools in Lesotho, which are reeling under a biting Covid-19 lockdown, have threatened to protest against the government unless they are allowed to reopen.
The spokesman for the Private Schools Association, Limema Phohlo, said they are capable of following the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols to avoid Covid-19 infections.
He said they are now not able to pay teachers because the schools have been closed since April last year.
Only students who were sitting for national examinations were allowed to resume classes last year.
The lockdown has hit private schools hard.
There has been little expectation the Junior Cycle June exams would take place because of the public health landscape.
There is a widespread view among education stakeholders that it would be too much to run both sets of exams together in June - on health and safety grounds.
Each set of exams involves around 60,000 students and many schools would have several hundred candidates.
Education Minister Norma Foley said the Junior Cycle exams would be on the table in the current discussions but they have not featured.
Tonight, the TUI has called on the minister to cancel them.
“The TUI is of the view that the State Examination Commission (SEC) Junior Cycle exams cannot proceed this year and is calling on the Minister to confirm this to students, teachers and parents.
MASERU -OWNERS of private schools in Lesotho, which are reeling under a biting Covid-19 lockdown, have threatened to protest against the government unless they are allowed to reopen.
The spokesman for the Private Schools Association, Limema Phohlo, said they are capable of following the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols to avoid Covid-19 infections.
He said they are now not able to pay teachers because the schools have been closed since April last year.
Only students who were sitting for national examinations were allowed to resume classes last year.
The lockdown has hit private schools hard.
Phohlo said some teachers were now looking for jobs in other industries.
Crime Correspondent
A gunman for the Kinahan organised crime group, who tried to murder a rival Hutch gang member almost three years ago, faces a sentence of up to life in prison, the Special Criminal Court heard today.
Caolan Smyth, 29, from Cuileann Court, Donore in Co Meath, shot James Gately five times on 10 May 2017.
A second man, Gary McAreavey, 53, of Gort Nua, Station Road, Castlebellingham, Co Louth, whom the court accepted is not in any criminal gang, helped burn out the getaway car.
Smyth had Mr Gately under surveillance and followed him before shooting his target five times at the Topaz Petrol station near Dublin Airport on 10 May 2017.
Digital Desk StaffTwo teachers' unions have called for the Leaving Certificate exams to go ahead as planned following last year's difficulty with calculated grades.The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) and the Teacher.