Kildare representatives attend annual congress of ETBI

PICTURED ABOVE: Delegates representing Kildare and Wicklow ETB:

• Ken Scully – KWETB Director of Schools
• Maria Barry- KWETB Board Member
• Cllr. Louise Fenelon Gaskin – KWETB Board Member
• Cllr. Paul O’Brien – KWETB Board Chairman
• Cllr. Avril Cronin – KWETB Board Member
• Stephen Horan – KWETB Board Member

(Photos by Adrian Donohoe)

The Minister for Education Helen McEntee and renowned psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan addressed the annual congress of Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), which included strong representation from Kildare and Wicklow ETB (KWETB).

The national event took place on Thursday, October 9th, in Cavan, and brought together over 200 delegates from across Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

It was Minister McEntee’s first address to the sector since taking on the education portfolio.
“I am delighted to attend my first ETBI Conference and to meet so many people committed to advancing greater equity in education,” said Minister McEntee.
“This week, I was pleased to announce €2 million in funding for the Convention on Education, which will provide a unique opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape the future of our education system.”

Dr Deirdre Keyes, Chief Executive of Kildare and Wicklow ETB, chaired a key panel discussion on the upcoming Convention on Education — one of the main topics of the day.

Delegates also heard from psychotherapist and author Dr Richard Hogan, who called for a blanket ban on smartphones in schools.
“I strongly believe – and this is backed up by data and research – that smartphones are contributing to the silencing of adolescence,” said Dr Hogan. “We are witnessing the death of small talk among our young people, and the accompanying social skills they need to thrive.”

Speakers and panellists at the congress discussed a range of other issues the Convention on Education will need to address, including special education, curriculum reform, and the growing demand for multi-denominational education.

Other topics covered throughout the day included the promotion of the Irish language, strengthening partnerships with local and regional employers, and managing growth and governance within the ETB network.

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ETBI General Secretary Paddy Lavelle said the organisation’s role is expanding rapidly.
“Education and Training Boards are Ireland’s leading state provider of education, training and youth services, and our role is quickly growing and developing,” he said.
“ETBs are now key state providers of Community Special Schools and have a potential role in the delivery of nationwide early education services. They will also play a key role in the growth of further education and training (FET) and the implementation of a new FET strategy.”

Mr Lavelle added that while the recent Budget provided welcome increases in school capitation rates, apprenticeships, and youth services, ETBs continue to operate under significant resource pressures.
“This period of growth requires strong management and robust governance structures,” he said. “It’s vital that we support ETBs to establish these structures to help them continue to deliver excellent education provision for thousands of people across the country.”

For more information, visit www.etbi.ie .