Grinds Explained

In Ireland, grinds are a form of private tuition. The grinds industry in Ireland, particularly at secondary school level, acts as a supplement to other forms of schooling and is described in some sources as "shadow education".[1] [2] [3] In 2012, the Revenue Commissioners launched an investigation into a perceived failure of some teachers to declare extra income from giving grinds for tax purposes. The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland denied that this was a widespread problem.[4]

Grind schools

Some private schools, such as Ashfield College,[5] Bruce College,[6] the Institute of Education,[7] Leinster Senior College,[8] and Yeats College[9] which offer the Leaving Certificate as a single year (repeat) course, are sometimes called "grind schools".[10] [11]

A study in 2020 indicated the students from Irish-speaking secondary schools and grind schools had strong chances of progressing to further education but were significantly less likely to finish their course or achieve a 2:1 degree or greater compared to students from secondary schools.[12]

A report, published in 2022 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), indicated that increasing numbers of "well-off pupils" were undertaking private grinds to "boost Leaving Cert grades".[2] [13]

Online grinds

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, Irish schools were shut down and elements of education shifted to online channels. A number of new "online-only" grinds schools were established. The rise of online grinds represented a shift in the way such education was delivered.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Are grinds a waste of time? . independent.ie . 29 April 2008 . 19 June 2024 . Almost half of all Irish pupils now use some form of extra tuition before the Leaving Cert [..] Poor teaching, disruptive classrooms, illness, and a competitive hunger for points for third level colleges are all commonly cited as reasons for doing grinds . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619155453/https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/are-grinds-a-waste-of-time/26442633.html . live .
  2. Web site: Rising numbers of well-off pupils do 'grinds' to boost Leaving Cert grades . independent.ie . 18 April 2022 . 19 June 2024 . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619161416/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/rising-numbers-of-well-off-pupils-do-grinds-to-boost-leaving-cert-grades/41562309.html . live .
  3. Web site: Colman Noctor: Leaving Cert grinds putting students under additional pressure . Irish Examiner . 2 April 2024 . 19 June 2024 . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619161416/https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/parenting/arid-41365393.html . live .
  4. Web site: Teachers play down reports of tax investigation over grind fees . The Journal . 9 January 2012 . 27 April 2013 . 30 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930191933/http://www.thejournal.ie/teachers-play-down-reports-of-tax-investigation-over-grind-fees-323954-Jan2012/ . live .
  5. http://www.ashfieldcollege.ie/?page_id=116 Grinds
  6. News: 21 November 2000. Class goes on for the students at Bruce . 30 June 2020. The Irish Times.
  7. News: Hickey. Shane. 28 October 2008. Sacrifices will be made to pay for the grinds. 30 June 2020. Irish Independent. 3 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703044650/https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/sacrifices-will-be-made-to-pay-for-the-grinds-26487874.html. live.
  8. News: 28 May 2002. Former Bruce College Dublin principal to set up grind school. 30 June 2020. The Irish Times. 14 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414122704/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/former-bruce-college-principal-to-set-up-grind-school-1.1058650. live.
  9. Web site: Yeats College Grinds . yeatscollege.ie . 26 August 2011 . 3 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110903220328/http://www.yeatscollege.ie/ . live .
  10. Web site: Grind schools - a blessing or a curse? . universityobserver.ie . 20 April 2022 . 19 June 2024 . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619161417/https://universityobserver.ie/grind-schools-a-blessing-or-a-curse/ . live .
  11. Web site: Grind schools in league tables . irishtimes.com . 27 November 2013 . 19 June 2024 . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619162302/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/grind-schools-in-league-tables-1.1609555 . live .
  12. News: Donnelly. Katherine. 21 May 2020. Pupils from Irish-speaking and grind schools less likely to finish college. 24 March 2022. subscription. 24 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220324190812/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/pupils-from-irish-speaking-and-grind-schools-less-likely-to-finish-college-39222897.html. live.
  13. Web site: Shadow Education uptake among final year students in secondary schools in Ireland: Wellbeing in a high stakes context . esri.ie . April 2022 . 19 June 2024 . 19 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619162647/https://www.esri.ie/system/files/publications/WP724_1.pdf . live .

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