Hope on the Horizon: 2025 in Irish Primary Education
After my review of Irish Primary Education in 2024 I felt fairly down. Our celebrated system at political level seemed reduced to soundbites and pilots and free gifts for parents rather than pedagogy. Still…here’s why I believe we can have hope in 2025:
1️⃣ Seeds of hope for Special Education Despite a decade of abject neglect in the sector, schools will be re-evaluated for SNA access once every 2 years. It’s possible by the end of 2025, 50% of schools will have better supports for their pupils.
2️⃣ Technology is getting exciting again With the advent of AI, it feels like 2008 all over again in edtech. I suspect Artificial Intelligence will be at the centre of it. Apart from saving time, we may find some hugely creative things happening in classrooms. I can’t wait!
3️⃣ Time running out to ignore patronage If anything happened in 2024, the excuses are starting to run out for our patron-led education system. With many schools reporting classrooms with more than 50% of kids opted out, the house of cards is shaky
4️⃣ New Minister? This is only a hope if the next Minister is a very long shot but if we get the right person, brave enough to tackle the system, it could be the end of a stagnant era.
5️⃣ Good Influence(rs) With X no longer a place of good pedagogical discussion, other platforms are demonstrating great work in the classroom especially on Instagram. Sorry young teachers, we’re coming over to join the joy.
6️⃣ The New PMC When it was introduced, the sighs of relief could be heard across the land. It isn’t actually all that bad While only a kick-up-the-arse for us, it’s a decent reboot of the 1999 curriculum.
7️⃣ Every child fed While the scheme is a logistical disaster, it’s never bad news that in Ireland every child is going to get at least one hot meal a day. If the structures were better it could’ve been revolutionary.
8️⃣ More Languages I know we can barely manage to make half of children string a sentence in Gaeilge together after 8 years (not teachers’ faults btw) adding the languages of children from other parts of the world into everyday life is a good thing if it’s resourced.
9️⃣ Embracing Teacher Diversity The Baptism Barrier for teachers is still very much alive in 96% of our schools. With the excellent advocacy of @edu_equal, it is becoming impossible to ignore the growing voices of teachers who no longer want to be missionaries for the church
1️⃣0️⃣ It just can’t be any worse! 2024 was one of the most depressing years of my career. With the world falling apart in war and an education system beyond the point of neglect, 2025 has to be better. As teachers we need someone to take the lead.
Happy New Year!
