Pat King, General Secretary of the ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers’ Ireland) spoke to Clare FM’s John Cooke about how the Junior Cert is to be scrapped and replaced with a new syllabus from 2017 – under a radical new plan outlined by the Minster for Education yesterday. 40 per cent of the marks in the new syllabus will be awarded for course work – the remaining 60 per cent will be based on an exam.
The Education Minister, Ruairi Quinn made the announcement at a meeting of the National Council for Curriculum Assessment yesterday. However, in a statement, the Teacher’s Union of Ireland said while it accepts the need for reform – any such reforms should be backed up by resources and could do more harm than good.
But Ruairi Quinn believes teachers will see the benefits of the changes.
Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience discussed today’s events at the North Clare attraction. Minister Leo Varadkar and Paul Bates, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport visited the Cliffs of Moher at 10.30am this morning. Minister Varadkar is providing his support for the final voting days of the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign. Voting in the campaign will continue until 11.11am next Friday the 11th of November.
Brian Sheehan, Director GLEN and a Kilrush native discussed how a quarter of older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people have not come out to their doctor – or their neighbours. One in ten have not told their family – and seven per cent have not told anyone at all. The findings are contained in a report from GLEN – the Gay Lesbian Equality Network. GLEN says older gay people fear being rejected by health services – particularly when it comes to nursing homes.
Also on today’s show;
Terry Pratchett, world renowned English Fantasy Novelist spoke to Morning Focus
Ahead of the second Irish Discworld Conference which is taking place in Ennistymon this weekend, the 4th-6th of November. In 2007 he announced he was suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and has spoken since of his support for assisted suicide. He has been speaking to Marian Egan ahead of this year’s Discworld Conference– she began by asking him to recall his visit to Ennistymon last year.
Aonghus McAnally, well known Radio and Television Performer spoke with Clare FM’s John Cooke about his performance in When Jolie Met Christie, the sell-out show about singer songwriter Christie Hennessy. The show will run at Glor Theatre this Monday as part of an extensive national tour. Under the guise of Broadway entertainer Al Jolson, Aonghus McAnally narrates Christie Hennessy’s life story as he delivers poignant renditions of Hennessy classics such as Jealous Heart, Don’t Forget Your Shovel, Messenger Boy and Roll Back the Clouds. The production is written by Cork-born actor, director and playwright Sean McCarthy
Willie McGrath, Organiser of the West Clare Mini Marathon & Cancer Care Centre explained to Clare FM listeners how he wants to re-emphasise the need for sponsored cards for the marathon. The walk/run takes place on the last Sunday of January each year and is by sponsorship card only. You can get your sponsorship card at the registration nights. If you are from outside of the county and wish to avail of a sponsorship card please call 065 9056181 or 065 9060762
Morning Focus would also like to thank for everyone who supported the Coffee Morning in the Town Hall at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis yesterday in aid of
Clare FM’s 50 Cent Appeal. To get involved in the appeal register by emailing [email protected] or call reception 065 6828888
You can also pledge money to Clare FM for the 50 Cent Appeal – drop money into the collection buckets at Clare FM reception and via the bank account; (listeners can lodge money to the below account from any AIB branch)
Sort Code: 93-53-87
Account Number: 32500588
Account Name: Clare FM Fundraiser Account
Bank: AIB Bank, Bank Place, Ennis, Co Clare
If you have a comment or query you can contact the show by email at [email protected] or text your comment – Clare FM followed by your name and comment to 53030
