PLANS for a phased reopening of schools from March 1 are expected to be announced today after being signed off by Cabinet.

Two Cork-based adult-learning initiatives have been shortlisted for a prestigious AONTAS STAR Award.

A TEENAGER has been questioned by Cork gardaí after an online second-level class was disrupted by someone outside of the class. The incident occurred last month during a class for a group of students from a Cork second-level school.

UNIVERSITY College Cork has appointed Professor Sarah Culloty as Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science. Ms Culloty will become the first female Head of the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science in UCC.

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has said that the plan for exiting the country’s lockdown is not “set in stone”, as he denied claims the Government is confusing the public.

Tributes have been paid following the death of Natasha O'Donoghue (née Lynch), well known in Cork as the founder of Essential French. Ms O’Donoghue passed away peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by her family.

Cork-based education officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union Alicia O’Sullivan has praised students’ efforts in helping decide their futures following the Government’s decision on the Leaving Certificate 2021.

A CORK principal has said he is looking forward to a return to in-class teaching as the phased reopening of schools looks set to begin on March 1 but there have been calls for more detailed plans to be put in place.

The cabinet sub-committee has agreed a plan to begin the phased reopening of schools from March 1. The plan is for junior infants, senior infants and Leaving Certificate students to return first.

This year’s Leaving Certificate will begin on Wednesday, June 9 with the customary English Paper 1 exam scheduled for a 9. 30am start. The Leaving Cert maintains its traditional start on the first Wednesday after the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said the reopening of schools is going to be on a phased basis and will likely start from March 1. Mr Martin told Live 95 Limerick radio show: "We will be having a meeting today with the Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19.

THE Cabinet Education Sub-Committee has signed off on a proposal to give Leaving Cert students the option of a calculated grade or a written exam in each subject, while this year’s Junior Certificate has been cancelled.

Br Ben Cusack, founder of Edmund Rice Youth Club, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has been named as Cork Person of the Month for February.

THE Minister for Education Norma Foley is expected to address the Cabinet sub-committee on Education on Wednesday, February 17 on the issue of assessment for this year's Leaving Certificate.

FIANNA Fáil TD James O’Connor might be the youngest member of Dáil Éireann, but he certainly has big ambitions. His election ahead of his running mate and sitting TD at the time Kevin O’Keeffe was a surprise to many.

CHILDREN in Cork are trying to learn from home in emergency accommodation, unheated homes, and with a lack of internet and necessary equipment, according to a Cork principal.

One year on from General Election 2020, TDs from Cork North and South Central reflect on the last 12 months with Sarah O'Dwyer

THERE was great excitement in St Killian’s School, Mayfield this morning when it re-opened its doors. Special schools around the country commenced a phased re-opening today following an extended closure due to current public health Covid guidelines.

A Cork TD has called for a decision to be made on the Leaving Certificate this week.

In-school teaching and learning for students enrolled in special classes in post-primary school is set to resume on Monday, February 22nd.

ASTI members have today voted to reject the proposed public service agreement “Building Momentum” because it does not restore full pay equality for staff recruited since 2011.

A Cork secondary school is set to benefit from the addition of seven mainstream classrooms and several additional rooms following an announcement by the Department of Education.

A Cork secondary school student has won the largest debating competition in Ireland. Henry O’Riordan, a student from Christian Brothers College, Cork emerged victorious over 500 fellow speakers to be crowned the best speaker in Ireland.

A CORK primary school has received confirmation that it can proceed to tender for a new school building following official correspondence from the Department of Education.

Intensive discussions on plans for the Leaving Certificate 2021 are set to get underway, with stakeholders to consider two “distinct processes” for the exams.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry has said that he is concerned about the impact of the "Leaving Cert crisis" on young people, urging the Government to make a decision that will “relieve the stress and not add to it”.

A Cork secondary school student has created her own app that aims to helps users to learn Irish sign language.

SPECIAL schools will reopen on Thursday February 11 and classes in mainstream schools for pupils with special needs will reopen on Monday February 22.

Further clarity on how Leaving Certificate exams will be held this year is expected to be given on Tuesday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.

SOME 19 Cork primary schools have signed up for this year’s Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP), adapted for online participation due to the pandemic.

Ireland is progressing towards a place where the phased reopening of education can be considered, a medical chief has said.

FREE virtual space field trips for children aged five to 14 are being offered on Thursday January 28 by a University College Cork (UCC) academic who has partnered with NASA.

The reopening of schools for students with special educational needs has been a "failure all round", the Taoiseach has admitted.

Greg Tarr, who has recently turned 18, was named the overall winner of at the 57th BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) after entering the competition consecutively for the last five years.

THE parent of a child with Down syndrome has criticised the Government for what she described as sending out “mixed messages” after plans to reopen special schools from today were abandoned.

TALKS between the Department of Education, Fórsa, and Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) on plans to reopen schools are set to resume this morning.

INTO President Mary Magner has reiterated her union’s desire to continue engaging with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure primary schools can open in a safe manner in the near future.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has refused calls to intervene in the row over reopening schools for special needs students, and backed under-fire Minister Norma Foley.

The education minister has accused a teachers' union of being "incredibly disingenuous" over claims that it did not instruct its members not to return to schools.

THE INTO central executive committee (CEC) is to meet today where it will again discuss plans to resume in-school special education later this week.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has called on the Department of Education to reconsider their plan to resume in-school special education this week.

SECONDARY schools in Cork have reported a “successful” and “positive” experience with online learning as they head into the second week of at-home tuition of 2021 for students.

A CORK TD has urged the Minister for Education to resolve outstanding issues to ensure the reopening of schools for children with special educational needs.

A union that represents Ireland’s special needs assistants (SNAs) has said that an agreement has not yet been reached on plans for the reopening of schools for children with special needs.

Professor Eugene C. Freuder, from University College Cork, has been recognised with the world's premier award in the field of artificial intelligence. Prof.

A Macroom secondary school pupil has been honoured for examining the psychological and social impact of face masks.

THE CEO of The Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism has welcomed the plans to commence a phased return to school for children with special needs.

A CORK TD has called on the Minister for Education to publish the contingency plans in place for the Leaving Certificate, and to be “transparent and honest” with students.

Children in special classes in primary schools and who attend special needs schools look set to return to the classroom on a phased basis from next Thursday.

Further Education Minister Simon Harris has confirmed an additional 50,000 places in further education and training courses will be created this year.