Longford & Westmeath ETB addressed by Minister for Education and psychotherapist

The Minister for Education Helen McEntee and renowned psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan have addressed the annual congress of Education & Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), including Longford & Westmeath ETB (LWETB), which took place on Thursday, October 9 in Cavan, and discussed key sectoral challenges in advance of the recently announced national Convention on Education.

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Over 200 delegates from across Ireland’s education and training boards (ETBs), including Longford and Westmeath, listened to the first sectoral address by Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, who said:

"I am delighted to attend my first ETBI Conference and to meet so many people committed to advancing greater equity in education.

“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."

Delegates also heard from renowned psychotherapist Dr Richard Hogan who called for a blanket ban of smart phones across schools, stating:

“I strongly believe – and this is backed up data and research – that smart phones are contributing to the silencing of adolescence.

“We are witnessing the death of small talk among our young people, and the accompanying social skills they need to thrive.”

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Speakers and panellists also discussed other areas they feel the convention needs to address, including special education, curriculum reform and the need for multi-denominational education.

Over the day, the congress also addressed key topics including growing the Irish language, strengthening partnerships with local and regional employers, and managing growth and governance.