Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education

With all the mixed messaging about schools, it has become very hard to believe what's being said. This is a real pity as we’ll see in this special episode where I argue we may have developed another virus and it’s potentially more dangerous. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

In this live recorded episode I run through the note released by the Department of Education releasing extra people into the system to cover the sub crisis. However, will it be enough, why did we get to this point, and how will we prevent it from happening again? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substa...

My immediate-ish reaction to the news that Antigen Testing is coming to schools. Recorded on the evening on the announcement. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

I was delighted to chat to Paula Galvin, a teacher of over 40 years. We discuss everything from the limitations of textbooks, why teachers are afraid to teach, and why the new SESE curriculum will be out of date when it’s released. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

The NCCA are currently doing consultations on the plans for the new curriculum. I have major issues with the draft and I want to talk about them! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

In October 2021, Teaching Principals were told that if they opened 2 special classes, they would become an admin principal. This decision affected around 30 schools. However, was it the right decision? In this episode I wonder why. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

Did you know the Department of Education doesn't provide a specific grant for cleaning staff so schools have to cobble together the money from funds that are supposed to cover other expenses? However, like secretaries and caretakers, shouldn't the Department of Education be paying cleaners directly? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bon...

As we crawl to the mid term break, I look back on the extraordinary week when representative bodies forgot their only job (to represent their members) and I discuss what you felt were the worst things that COVID19 has shone a light on in the education system. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.c...

I've never worked in a Special School so what right have I to say what they need. Luckily I had some help! In this episode I interview Anne Hartnett, principal of St. Paul's Special School in Cork. She tells me all about Special Schools and, rather than me, Anne tells us what she would do if she was the Minister for Education. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...

Based on a super interview by Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk today, Minister Norma Foley tried to explain why her department removed Banked Hours from children with additional needs. In this episode, I analyse her responses to the interview and explain Banked Hours and what principals on the ground have been doing. Credit: some audio from the interview is interspersed in this episode. This is a public...

This might not sounds like the most interesting episode in the world but if you ever wondered why it takes so long for your school to fix a leaking roof or to buy your child a laptop, listen in as I explain why the tendering process slows down everything but also has a much larger effect on the local economy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

School caretakers are paid from the ancillary grant, which is given to all schools by the Department of Education each year based on the number of pupils enrolled in the school the previous year. This grant is also supposed to cover the wage of all ancillary staff including secretaries, cleaning staff, etc. but, in general, it doesn’t cover much of those costs unless a school pays less than minimu...

For the last couple of years, I’ve been telling you what I would do if I were the Minister for Education but today I am joined by Gary Keogh, who, after many years working in the UK has some advice for me - in a way it might be best called What I Wouldn’t Do If I were the MfE. Gary has over 10 years’ experience in education, working in secondary school, undergraduate / postgraduate teaching, adult...

I haven't done an episode about COVID19 in a long time because I'd just be repeating myself. However, big decisions need to be made and I outline what I think those decisions might be. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

Principals are only paid by the DES to manage teachers, not SNAs, not caretakers, not secretaries nor bus escorts or anyone else. In this episode, I’m going to argue that if I were the Minister for Education, I would be paying principals for managing all members of a school team. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit s...

Incredibly, it is possible for a teacher to be fired if it can be proved that their religious views undermine the ethos of a school. In this episode I'll be going through why we really need to abolish the law, (Section 37), which allows for you to be disciplined or overlooked for a position for simply being yourself. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

While one could never put the word "honest" in the same sentence as "politician", the concept of spin has never been more rampant. Even the word spin is spin for the word lying! Whether it's adjustments instead of cuts or the mantra that schools are safe during COVID19, it's hard to believe anything. The same goes for consultations and in this episode I'll be arguing that I would be transparent ab...

How in the name of whatever god you like, does school insurance manage to get wrapped up with the Catholic Church? In this episode, I try to make an episode about school insurance somewhat interesting. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

On July 9th 2021, I was subjected to some racist abuse on social media from members of the National Party. In part 2 of this special episode, I continue to talk about the experience and how it paled in comparison to what I and many others go through every day in schools. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewi...

On July 9th 2021, I was subjected to some racist abuse on social media from members of the National Party. In this special 2 part episode, I talk about my experience. Many people asked me what they could do to help. If you ask the question, you've got to be ready for an answer! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sim...

The final part of this series where I explore  life after COVID19 in schools where I whip through PODs and Bubbles, fridges in staff rooms, principal release days, hand washing, principals being on call 24/7, virtual staff meetings and attendance awards! Phew! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack....

In this part of this episode, I explore what school will be like after COVID19 and ponder on whether we need schoolbags anymore, how school tours will work in the future and whether we should finally get rid of Croke Park Hours. I also wonder whether we actually need Parent Teacher Meetings at all when we can access parents much more easily these days. Finally, with remote schooling, has the tippi...

In this part of the episode, I'll explore whether we should keep direct email communication with families, virtual assemblies, soft openings and the reasons why we should finally stop sacraments being school events. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

Fianna Fáil are like that class you can't leave for one minute. The second your back is turned they're off causing mischief. In less than 2 days since recording the first part of this podcast, they were off spinning around Twitter about how great they are. In this part I look at staggered breaks, outdoor teaching and the mitigation measures our union fought for. This is a public episode. If you'd...

In this special look back at 2020-21, I'll examine some of the things we might keep once COVID19 restrictions end. This is part 1 and I'll be offering my thoughts on unexpected visitors, Christmas Concerts and why we don't need inspectors anymore. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe