Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education

Simon Lewis
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How many times have you said to yourself, "If I were the Minister for Education…?" Well I do! Rather than grumble to myself, I decided to podcast my thoughts on ways I'd change the primary education system in Ireland. Every episode I'll take on a different theme, give some background and hopefully come to some conclusions by the end. simonmlewis.substack.com

  1. Interview 31: Deirdre O'Toole

    2D AGO

    Interview 31: Deirdre O'Toole

    Deirdre O’Toole is one of Ireland’s best known educators. She started her well-known Instagram page in 2018 - the Playful Classroom, which explored early infant education - but had since become heavily involved in teaching and learning reading. She took it upon herself to bring the Right to Read conference to Ireland and this will take place next weekend, 21st March 2026. All 400 tickets sold out in under 90 minutes. Deirdre and I have never met in real life (that’s going to happen at the INTO Congress this year) but we first came across each other over 20 years ago on the Education Posts Forum, where many teachers of our vintage got their first taste of online discussions. You can find Dee on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook and keep an eye out for resources from the Right to Read Conference. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    49 min
  2. A Pause for Thought on SNA Allocations

    FEB 25

    A Pause for Thought on SNA Allocations

    In this episode of If I were the Minister for Education, I break down what happened after projected SNA allocations for the 2026/27 school year showed roughly 200 schools set to lose at least one Special Needs Assistant: not due to cuts or clerical error, but because of how the national redistribution model works under a capped total. I explain the background to the current situation, including the long period where schools largely held on to allocations since around 2017, the return of NCSE-led reviews from 2023 onward, and how this year’s broader round of reviews led to some schools being told they had more SNAs than the model allowed. I talk through the predictable political cycle that followed: schools and parents mobilised, pressure built, the Minister “paused” the process, additional funding was announced (€19 million), and the government confirmed no school would lose an SNA this year. While I’m relieved for schools, principals and SNAs facing uncertainty, I argue that pausing-and-funding responses don’t fix the underlying pattern and that we’re likely to repeat the same crisis again. I also say I feel sorry for the NCSE in this instance because they became the visible face of a policy they were implementing, and I argue the real issue sits higher up the chain. I then outline what I see as the structural problem: Ireland’s primary schools are publicly funded but privately managed individual entities competing for enrolment, staff and survival, while staffing supports (SNA posts and SET hours) are allocated through a national, projection-based redistribution model. I describe how redistribution creates concentrated losers and dispersed winners, making it politically fragile, and I connect this to the annual “cluster games” around SET allocations. Finally, I set out the kind of structural change I think is needed: moving away from competition as the organising principle by exploring regional employment and local coordination through education authorities, because I don’t believe repeated annual firefighting counts as planning. I also reference additional writing and commentary, including an Irish Independent piece by Fionnan Sheahan and analysis by Ciara Reilly, and I point listeners toward my Substack articles for more. 00:00 Welcome and Subscribe 00:47 SNA Allocations Fallout 02:30 How the SNA Model Works 04:28 From Freeze to Reviews 07:59 Backlash and the Pause 09:11 Predictable Crisis Cycle 10:03 Relief and Real Stakes 12:19 Why NCSE Took the Heat 14:06 Schools Compete to Survive 17:09 Redistribution vs Competition 18:25 SET Cluster Games Parallel 22:42 Politics and Concentrated Anger 29:29 What Would Actually Change 33:16 Final Thoughts and Goodbye This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min
  3. The Story of the Primary Language Curriculum

    FEB 2

    The Story of the Primary Language Curriculum

    In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I discuss the tumultuous journey of the Irish Primary Language Curriculum since its inception in 2016. I explain the confusing and unworkable nature of the curriculum, which stemmed from panic-induced reforms after a minor dip in Ireland’s PISA scores in 2009. I highlight the chaotic development process plagued by bullying allegations and mass resignations within the NCCA. I describe the practical challenges teachers faced with the original curriculum’s complex and unmanageable format, likening it to an accordion. Despite efforts by the PDST to provide clarity, the curriculum remains inadequately understood and halfway implemented a decade later. I underscore the recurring patterns of vagueness and panic-driven educational reforms in Ireland, leaving teachers to navigate and adapt to these changes on their own. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:47 The Primary Language Curriculum: A Decade of Confusion 02:15 The Roots of the Curriculum Chaos 05:07 The PISA Panic and Its Aftermath 09:56 The Chaotic Development Process 15:13 The Unmanageable Curriculum Rollout 21:13 Teachers’ Struggles and Adaptations 23:55 Reflections and Future Concerns 27:08 Conclusion and Farewell This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  4. The most boring podcast you'll ever hear

    JAN 14

    The most boring podcast you'll ever hear

    I couldn’t think of a better title to this week’s podcast which is all about admin work. Unfortunately, the biggest change to my job in the last decade or two is the crazy increase in administrative work and constant additions to my workload. My brain physically can’t hold it all so I decided to make it my aim to outsource my brain. This episode goes through some techy tools to help with admin. If nothing else, it will make a good sleeping aid. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min

  5. 12/27/2025

    The Anseo.net Review of 2025

    In this episode I offer a comprehensive review of Irish primary education for the year 2025. I cover various educational policies, initiatives, and challenges, spanning teacher shortages, special education crises, the hot meal scheme, religious influences in schools, and the controversial snow days. I discuss new policies introduced by the government, the effectiveness of the Department of Education, and the impact of external events like the conflict in Gaza on school environments. Despite the challenges, I’m, as always, cautiously optimistic for 2026! 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:50 Annual Review of the Primary School Year 02:49 January: Snow Days and New Government 07:09 February: Controversies and Challenges 11:08 March: The Cluster Games and Special Education 16:37 April: Teacher Burnout and Financial Crisis 22:52 May: Religion in Schools Debate 26:45 June: End of School Year and ICT Grant 27:52 July: Teacher Shortages and National Convention 31:24 August: Secretary and Caretaker Strikes 34:44 September: Strike Lessons and Hot Meal Scheme 37:34 October: School Census and Budget 39:59 November: IPPN Conference and New Minister 41:44 December: Reflections and Looking Forward This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    48 min
  6. AI Explains the 2025 School Year

    12/23/2025

    AI Explains the 2025 School Year

    Every time I open Google’s NotebookLM, it gets better and better. The graphic above was created using the app and I think it did a good job of summarising the year in a single graphic. The podcast didn’t do a bad job either though it fell into temptation a couple of times referring to issues at second level. However, all in all, I’m pretty pleased with it, and I’d love to know what you think. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min
  7. Interview 30: Amanda Jolliffe, Lead Microsoft Dream Space

    12/06/2025

    Interview 30: Amanda Jolliffe, Lead Microsoft Dream Space

    In this episode of 'If I were the Minister for Education', I delve into the integration of AI in the Irish Primary Education System joined by Amanda Jolliffe, the lead of Microsoft Ireland's Dream Space, to discuss the influence of AI on education and the various innovative tools and programs offered by Dream Space. We explore how AI can assist both teachers and students, from lesson planning to creative learning activities. The discussion covers not only the benefits and applications of AI but also the importance of critical thinking, ethical use, and equitable access to technology in schools. The episode also highlights the significance of professional learning for teachers and forthcoming initiatives like a new Dream Space hub focused on skilling and cloud operation infrastructure. More about Dream Space: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland Oide AI Hub: https://www.oidetechnologyineducation.ie/ai-hub/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min
  8. What's the point of the Primary Ethos Survey?

    11/22/2025

    What's the point of the Primary Ethos Survey?

    In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I explore the recent survey conducted by the Irish Department of Education concerning primary school patronage. I also discuss the legacy left by former Minister Helen McEntee and give my initial thoughts on the new Minister Hildegarde Naughton. I raise questions about the survey’s efficacy, its democratic value, and its alignment with the constitutional rights of children. I provide a historical context on the secular roots of Irish primary education and argue for state-run, multi-denominational schools. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:31 A New Minister for Education 01:37 Legacy of Helen McEntee 02:30 The Primary School Ethos Survey 03:53 Survey Questions and Parental Choices 06:25 Critique of the Survey’s Purpose 09:08 Human Rights and Education 23:52 Historical Context of Religious Schools 26:25 Conclusion: The Need for Genuine Reform This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min
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How many times have you said to yourself, "If I were the Minister for Education…?" Well I do! Rather than grumble to myself, I decided to podcast my thoughts on ways I'd change the primary education system in Ireland. Every episode I'll take on a different theme, give some background and hopefully come to some conclusions by the end. simonmlewis.substack.com

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