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Schools must target mental health 26.06.12
DEPRESSION, anxiety and
bullying are spoiling the school years of more and
more Irish children, a local TD has said.
Deputy Charlie McConalogue was speaking following a
Fianna Fáil conference at the weekend.
“Year after year, we are seeing an increase in the
number of young children who are suffering from
depression or anxiety; who are self-harming; who are
abusing alcohol or drugs; who are the victims of new
types of bullying on social networking sites and on
mobile phones.
"We are now working on ways to ensure that the
education system, right from primary school up to
third level, can best respond to this,” said Deputy
McConalogue. |
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Pictured at FF's weekend education
conference are, from left, Charlie McConalogue TD,
Doireann Hannebry, Shane Kelly, Brendan Smith TD,
Senator Averil Power and Megan Cox. |
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil
reaffirmed its commitment to protecting small
schools against forced amalgamations and closures.
“Every single delegate who spoke at the conference
voiced their anger and concern about the future of
small schools in rural communities across Ireland.
"Schools in Donegal have been targeted by Minister
Quinn for particularly harsh cuts. I believe that
every child has the right to be educated in their
own communities, and this Government will not get
away with removing that right.”
The conference also addressed the need to provide
quality and affordable childcare for all families.
“We want to ensure that all families have access to
quality and affordable childcare. Crèches,
playschools and childminders are not just there to
babysit children; they must also be given the
backing to provide high quality learning for young
children in an appropriate environment for their
age." |
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