Méid an Téacs

An Tionól Teagaisc ar siúl in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh

Deireadh Fómhair 30, 2012

Anuraidh d’fhreastail os cionn ceithre chéad múinteoir ar an Tionól Teagaisc agus de bharr an aiseolais a fuarthas, níl aon amhras ann ach go mbeidh Tionól Teagaisc den scoth ann arís i mbliana le slua mór ag freastal air.

Reáchtálfar an dara Tionól Teagaisc i mbliana san fhoirgneamh Ealaíon/Eolaíochta in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh ar an Satharn, 10 Samhna 2012.

Leis an téama An Chumarsáid sa Ghaeilge: guthanna ón seomra ranga i mbliana, díreofar ach go háirithe ar straitéisí agus ar chur chuigí a chothaíonn labhairt na Gaeilge.

Ag cúig a chlog ar an Aoine in óstán Ardoileáin i nGaillimh osclóidh an t-Ollamh Gearóid Denver Tionól Teagaisc na bliana seo go hoifigiúil le linn dhinnéar na comhdhála. Tabharfaidh Dónall Mac Diarmada ó Choimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit aiseolas faoi scrúdú na hArdteiste 2012 mar tháinig na hathruithe bainteach leis an 40% ar labhairt na Gaeilge isteach i mbliana.

Beidh saineolaithe éagsúla ag labhairt, beidh líon mór seastán eolais ann le háiseanna scoile den scoth agus beidh deis iontach ag daoine bualadh le múinteoirí eile agus tuairimí a mhalartú.

Arís i mbliana ar an Satharn cuirfear réimse leathan ceardlann phraiticiúil ar fáil a sholáthróidh smaointe nua agus ábhar suimiúil ar féidir iad a úsáid láithreach sa seomra ranga Gaeilge – ábhar amhail scannáin agus áiseanna nua atá amuigh ansin. Beidh cur i láthair agus ceardlanna le teagascóirí, léachtóirí agus múinteoirí. Ina measc siúd a bheidh i mbun ceardlainne beidh Reuben Ó Conluain, Carmel Nic Eoin, Éamonn Ó Domhnaill, Bernardine Nic Giolla Phádraig, Ógie Ó Ceallachair mar aon le go leor eile.

Tuilleadh eolais: www.tionolteagaisc.com

Ag cuardach poist?

Deireadh Fómhair 30, 2012

Pléadh caighdeán teanga mhuintir na hÉireann sna meáin le déanaí nuair a tarraingíodh aird ar chóras earcaíochta PayPal.

Dar leis an gcomhlacht, is gá fostaithe a mhealladh ó thíortha thar sáile leis na folúntais a líonadh mar gheall ar an nganntanas atá in Éirinn i leith teangacha éagsúla domhanda.

Is léir an t-éileamh ar theangacha éagsúla i gcúrsaí reatha na hÉireann agus na hEorpa agus de réir mhír na bhfolúntas ar www.Gaelport.com, is cosúil go bhfuil an t-éileamh céanna ar chainteoirí Gaeilge i gcúrsaí fostaíochta reatha na tíre.

Tá 3 fholúntas le líonadh ag Foras na Gaeilge in ionaid éagsúla timpeall na tíre. Táthar ag earcú Ardoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin le saoire mháithreachais a chlúdach i Ráth Cairn; Tá Eagarthóir Cúnta á lorg don oifig i nGaoth Dobhair a bheidh freagrach as téacsanna a réiteach, a chur in eagar agus a ullmhú don chló agus tá folúntas freisin i gCeannáras an Fhorais i lár chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath d’Oifigeach Seirbhísí. Beidh Foras na Gaeilge ag glacadh le hiarratais ar na poist uile go dtí Dé hAoine, 9 Samhain 2012, poist@forasnagaeilge.ie.

Tá an próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí maidir le bunú straitéise don Ghaeilge faoi lán seoil i dTuaisceart Éireann faoi láthair agus beifear ag súil go dtabharfaí ról lárnach don Ghaelscolaíocht i straitéis ar bith a bhunófar amach anseo. Is comhlacht beag fuinniúil é Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta atá lonnaithe i mBéal Feirste agus a bhfuil ionadaíocht Ghaelscolaíocht an Tuaiscirt faoina chúram. Tá trí fhostaí dhíograiseacha á lorg acu le tabhairt faoi obair an chomhlachta i leith chur chun cinn na Gaelscolaíochta sna sé chontae.

Táthar ag lorg Oifigeach Sinsearach Forbartha ag a bhfuil scileanna bainisteoireachta, eolas ar an ghaelscolaíocht agus cáilíocht 3ú leibhéal. Mar aon leis sin, tá Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta ag earcú Oifigeach Forbartha Óige, ar chonradh 12 mhí agus Oifigeach Cléireachais le bheith mar bhaill den fhoireann spreagtha reatha. Glacfar le hiarratais ar na folúntais uile go dtí Dé Luain, 5 Samhain 2012, pomordha@comhairle.org.

Fógraíodh neart folúntas in earnáil na réamhscolaíochta ó dheas le déanaí freisin. Tá cúntóir naíonra á lorg ag Naíonra Chaitlín Maude atá lonnaithe i dTamhlacht, Deisceart Átha Cliath. Is post lánaimseartha é seo agus na huaireanta oibre a bheidh i gceist ná 8:30am – 4:30pm, Luan go hAoine agus íocfar €500 sa tseachtain leis an té a cheapfar, naionra.cm@gmail.com.

Tá cúntóir naíonra á earcú freisin ag Naíonra Phádraig na gCloch Liath, Co. Chill Mhantáin. Iarrtar ar chainteoirí líofa a bhfuil spéis acu ann teistiméireachtaí agus CV a bheith iniata le hiarratais, ciara_f@yahoo.com.

Tá feighlí páistí le Gaeilge á lorg ag teaghlach ina bhfuil beirt gasúr i gcathair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Post lánaimseartha atá ann thar 4/5 lá sa tseachtain agus cuirfear tús leis an bpost i lár mhí Eanáir 2013, feighlipaistibac@gmail.com.

Tá gach eolas maidir leis na folúntais seo agus eile le fáil anois ar www.gaelport.com/foluntais.

Gaelscoileanna ‘apartheid’ – Litir san Irish Times

Deireadh Fómhair 30, 2012

A chara, – The “To Be Honest” column by a parent (Education Today, October 23rd) was such a misrepresentation of Irish-medium schools that it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. Its publication in the Education section of The Irish Times lends it an authority that is very damaging to the public perception of Irish-medium schools.

Irish-medium schools are united by their language ethos, but as diverse as any other arbitrary grouping of schools in every other way. A gaelscoil may operate under any patron body and may be denominational or not. Gaelscoileanna exist in every county in Ireland including Northern Ireland and they serve populations as diverse as their geographical locations; small towns, socially disadvantaged suburbs, rural communities, city centres or a “middle-class area of South Dublin” – wherever the local community has campaigned for a gaelscoil to be established.

Irish-medium schools are open to all pupils regardless of their linguistic and social background or their level of ability. They are as willing and well-equipped as any English-medium school to cater for all pupils’ educational needs. Communicating this to parents is made difficult when opinion pieces such as the aforementioned are published without information of substance on what an Irish-medium school is and how school enrolment policies work.

Parents and patrons alike have been calling for plurality and diversity in our education system for years. To have an inflammatory and misleading opinion piece about schools of a particular ethos published in the paper of record at a time when the Department of Education Skills has committed to providing for parental choice in the form of the surveys on diversity of patronage runs counter to everything the education community has been working towards.

The column did not recognise that many Irish-medium schools face considerable challenges. More than a third of Irish-medium schools are without a permanent school building; 39 per cent of primary and 36 per cent of post-primary Irish-medium schools. Ten per cent of Irish-medium schools are recognised as DEIS schools by the Department of Education Skills and are focused on addressing and prioritising the educational needs of young people from disadvantaged communities. That the demand for new gaelscoileanna remains high in spite of the difficulties the established schools often face speaks volumes about how parents have faith in the immersion-education model and community-led education.

While it’s true that most of the parents who choose Irish-medium education for their children do not speak Irish themselves, it does a great disservice to the parents of the 45,000 children who are attending Irish-medium schools at present to assume that their decision to enrol their child in a gaelscoil was made for elitist reasons. It does an even greater disservice to those parents who have chosen Irish-medium education for their children despite having neither Irish nor English as a first language, parents who appreciate that their children will start school on an even footing with other pupils who will also be learning through a language that is new to most of them, in a school where linguistic diversity is truly valued.

The story of how Irish-medium schools have grown and are flourishing is one rooted in community spirit and a sense of common purpose and the schools deserve to be celebrated for all they have achieved. – Is mise,

NÓRA Ní LOINGSIGH,
Acting CEO,
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO,
Institiúid Oideachais Marino,
Ascaill Uí Ghríofa,
Baile Átha Cliath 9.

www.irishtimes.com

HUNDREDS of Irish speaking zombies will be mingling amongst the hosts and ghouls in Londonderry this Hallowe’en

Deireadh Fómhair 30, 2012

A 200 strong contingent of teenagers will be setting up camp in Londonderry for the duration of the holiday, as they attend the annual Oireachtas conference in Letterkenny.
They are planning to sample the best that scary Londonderry has to offer while they are here. According to the group’s spokesperson, Ríonach Ní Scolaí, this is the first time that Ógras have attended the festival. They hope to take in as many local Hallowe’en events as they can over the course of the Oireachtas.

“We have kids coming up from all parts of Ireland – from Maghera, Downpatrick, Dublin, Kildare, Naas, and all over – to take part in Scléip na hÓige the youth events at Oireachtas na Gaeilge, the Irish language and culture festival,” she explained.

“The festival takes place in Letterkenny, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to take in the carnival while we’re here, as we’ve heard so much about it and the members are all really excited about the trip.

“The young people are all aged between 12-18, and while we attend the Oireachtas each year this is the first time we will be taking part in the Hallowe’en celebrations.

“We’ve visited the city before and enjoyed a walking tour around the walls, so the kids are really looking forward to being part of such a huge local event.”

“Ógras is an Irish language youth organisation with youth clubs based throughout the country, and each year they attend the Oireachtas Irish Language Festival for a three day celebration of Irish culture, from sports to dancing. “We take part in the Oireachtas parade every year, so this year it’s great to take part in something different and the kids are all looking forward to dressing up as zombies for the parade,” Rionach said.

“We’ll stay in the city and spend Hallowe’en day in Derry sightseeing, watching the fireworks and enjoying the craic in the city centre. We’ve heard so much about the carnival and hope to catch as many of the events as we can while we’re in the city. So watch out for us in the parade – we’ll be the Irish-speaking zombies!”

For more information about all the events taking place in the city this Hallowe’en go www.derrycity.gov.uk/Halloween or follow the festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/banksofthefoylehalloweencarnival

www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk

Omeath celebrates major milestone of its past

Deireadh Fómhair 30, 2012

This year 2012 marks the centenary of the establishment of Coláiste Bhríde in Omeath.

In the early part of the last century, it was established that a small Gaeltacht survived In Omeath, with the older population speaking Gaelic.

A Gaelic college (Coláiste Bhríde) was established as an attempt to capture the remaining Gaelic which lived on among the older inhabitants of Omeath. This college was instrumental in ensuring that Omeath Irish lives on. A programme of events took place to celebrate the centenary.

The event was officially opened by Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell who explained her links with the village. Her mother came from Omeath and her grand-mother Louie Kirwen was in receipt of a silver medal won at Coláiste Bhríde. The family received a certificate for their dedication to Gaelic from Douglas Hyde.

The function room in the Granvue House was adorned with a series of pop-up posters which gave a dramatic visual enhancement to the event. These 6 foot high posters detailed many of the local characters who gave of their time to Coláiste Bhríde.

Other events included a guided tour of the cottages of the last Gaelic speakers, conducted by Eamonn Ó Gribín and Séamus Murphy of An Ciorcal Comhra Óméith. Cúchualinn Gaels re-enacted the famous Bavan Football match, with all stars from a number of different counties appearing in retro kit.

Paddy O’Hanlon, the great-grandson of the last native Irish speaker Áine Uí Annluain, read the poem which commemorates the match both in English and as Gaeilge.

A craft fair took place in the Dolmen Centre which saw a display of different crafts produced in the area. Perhaps the most exciting element of the celebrations was the revival of a Gaelic college in the village. For the first time since 1926 Gaelic was being taught again in a non-primary school setting.

Thanks to these teachers for their hard work and dedication to the language. August 2013 will see an extended cúrsa with not only the Gaelic language being taught, but also music, song and other traditional pursuits.

www.dundalkdemocrat.ie

An Eaglais Chaitliceach: Osclóidh muid Gaelscoileanna

Deireadh Fómhair 26, 2012

Ta se ráite ag an Eaglais Chaitliceach go ndéanfaidh siad freastal ar an éileamh don Ghaelscolaíocht a léireofar i suirbhéanna ar thuismitheoirí atá a ndéanamh timpeall na tíre.

Seoladh scéim phíolótach i gcúig cheantar an tseachtain seo le mianta tuismitheoirí faoin saghas oideachais ata uathu dá bpáistí a mheas. Is í an chéad cheist ar na suirbhéanna na an bhfuil Béarla nó Gaeilge uathu mar theanga teagaisc a bpáistí. Iarrtar orthu ansin cén sainmheon credimh atá uathu agus an bhfuil scoil aon-inscne nó scoil mheasctha uathu.

Ta an tAire Oideachais ag súil go n-aistreofar pátrúnacht ón Eaglais Chaitliceach go heagraíochtaí eile faoin bpróiseas. Má ta taighde faoin éileamh atá ann don Ghaelscolaíocht cruinn, bheadh impleachtaí móra ann don chóras bunscolaíochta chomh maith.

De réir staidéir a rinne Institiúid Teangeolaíochta na hÉireann in 2000, chuirfeadh suas le 30% den phobal a bpáistí chuig Gaelscoil dá mbeadh ceann ar fail go háitiúil. Tá thart ar 7% de pháistí na Poblachta ag freastal ar Ghaelscoileanna faoi láthair.

Is féidir le tuismitheoirí a rá go bhfuil siad sásta leis an sainmheon creidimh atá ar fail ina gceantar ach go bhfuil siad ag iarraidh an teanga teagaisc a athrú. Dúirt urlabhraí ón Eaglais chaitliceach go bhfuil siad lánsásta Gaelscolaíocht a chuir ar fáil má léiríonn na suirbhéanna go bhfuil éileamh ann di.

“Tá an Eaglais mar phátrún ar thart ar 80 bunscoil lánGhaeilge, mar sin ta muid i gcroílár na hearnála cheana féin,” arsa an tAthair Micheal Drumm.

“Tá an bhéim sna meáin á leagan ar cheist an tsainmheoin, ach sílim gur ceann de na rudaí is suimiúla faoi na suirbhéanna ná go bhfuil rogha teanga ag tuismitheoirí den chéad uair riamh,” arsa Drumm, atá ina chathaoirleach ar Pháirtnéireacht na Scoileanna Caitliceach chomh maith.

“Léireoidh na suirbhéanna go bhfuil éileamh ann don Ghaelscolaíocht, ta mé cinnte faoi sin. Aithnítear go forleathan go bhfuil éileamh ann don ghaelscolaíocht nár ligeadh amach.”

“Ní bheadh deacracht againn i bprionsabal teanga teagaisc scoile a athrú go Gaeilge. Gan amhras bheadh orainn plé a dhéanamh leis an bpobal áitiúil faoin mbealach a ndéanfaí sin.”

Tá na suirbhéanna i mbun i gcúig cheantar i dtosach báire; An tInbhear Mór, Caisleáin an Bharraigh, An Trá Mhór, Baile Átha Troim agus Fionnbhrú i mBaile Átha Cliath. Tá go dtí 9 Samhain ag tuismitheoirí na suirbhéanna a dhéanamh. Déanfar iad in 39 ceantar eile níos déanaí.

Beidh rogha ag tuismitheoirí pátrúin éagsúla a roghnú, ina measc, an Eaglais Chaitliceach, Eaglais na hÉireann, an Foras Pátrúnachta agus Ag Foghlaim le Chéile. Tá fáilte curtha ag an Foras Pátrúnachta roimh na suirbhéanna.

“Deis iontach é seo do thuismitheoirí ar mhaith leo oideachas lánGhaeilge a chur chun cinn ina gceantar,” arsa Ard-Rúnaí na heagraíochta, Caoimhín Ó hEaghra. “Más mian le tuismitheoirí scoil lánGhaeilge ba chóir dóibh na buntáistí atá leis a mhíniú do thuismitheoirí eile agus a dtacaíocht a lorg.”

Dúirt an tAire Oideachais Ruairí Quinn gur “deis stairiúil í seo do thuismitheoirí chun tírdhreach na bunscolaíochta a athchumrú do na glúine atá le theacht.”

www.gaelsceal.ie

Féile na Mí 2012

Deireadh Fómhair 26, 2012

14 Samhain 2012 – 24 Samhain 2012

Beidh Féile na Mí na bliana ar siúl i gCo. na Mí ón 14-24 Samhain agus beidh neart imeachtaí éagsúla á reáchtáil ar fud an Chontae i rith an ama sin.

Mar chuid d’ imeachtaí atá ag dul ar aghaidh le linn féile na bliana seo beidh neart siamsaíocht, seisiúin ceoil mar aon le sean-nós ar siúl i Ráth Chairn.

Beidh neart comórtais éagsúla agus oíche mór amhránaíochta ar an sean-nós ar siúl sa Chlub ar feadh na seachtaine. Aoine 14 Samhain Oscailt Oifigiúil i mBaile Átha Buí in Óstán an Darnley áit a mbeidh neart ceol, amhráin agus damhsa ar an sean-nós agus ar ndóigh beidh sólaistí ar fáil. Ar an Déardaoin, 15 Samhain beidh Ciorcal Comhrá agus seisiún ceoil ar siúl sa Railway Bar sa Cheanannas.

Dé hAoine, 16 Samhain beidh comórtas amhránaíochta ar an Sean Nós do Dhaoine Óga agus beidh coirn éagsúla á bhronnadh ar na buaiteoirí agus I rith an lae ar an Satharn beidh comórtas damhsa ar an Sean-Nós do dhaoine óga á reáchtáil agus bronnfar Corn Chuimhneacháin Mhicí Mhic Dhonncha agus níos déanaí sa tráthnóna beidh an comórtas Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós do dhaoine fásta agus bronnfar Corn Chuimhneacháin Stiofáin Seoighe ar an mbuaiteoir.

Ag 8:00i.n Dé Satharn beidh Comórtas Amhránaíochta ar an Sean-Nós do dhaoine fásta agus beidh Corn Chuimhneacháin Chóil Neaine Pháidín Mac Donncha le bronnadh ar an mbuaiteoir agus leanfar le neart ceol agus siamsaíocht in ndiaidh na comórtais.

Ar an Aoine, 23 Samhain beidh dinnéar na féile ar siúl i mbialann Dunderry Lodge agus le linn an oíche mhór seo bronnfar Gradam Uí Ghramhnaigh agus Gradam Cultúrtha na Gaeltachta le linn na h-ócáide. Tá ticéad do dhinnéar seo ar fáil ón gChomharchumann áitiúil ag 046 943 2068.

Ar an Satharn 24 Samhain beidh comórtas bodhrán do dhaoine os cionn 16 bliana déag ar siúl i gcuimhne agus in ómós do Martin Kerrane.

Tuilleadh eolais: 046 943 2068 / www.rathcairn.com

Thug scoláirí ón Ghearmáin cuairt ar Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada mar pháirt den clár mhalartú scoile

Deireadh Fómhair 25, 2012

Thug cúig déag scoláirí ón Ghearmáin cuairt ar Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada ar na mallaibh mar pháirt den clár mhalartú scoile atá beartaithe idir an dá scoil idir an 15ú agus 19ú mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2012. Tháinig siad chun an oileáin agus beirt mhúinteoirí dá gcuid in éineacht leo ó mheánscoil loinnithe cóngarach do Hanover (Winipeg) agus chaith siad cúig lá ar an iomlán ag freastal ar ranganna ins an scoil, ag cur aithne ar na daltaí sa scoil agus ag glacadh páirt in imeachtaí seac-churaclam taobh amuigh den scoil fosta. Bhí na himeachtaí tráthnóna eagraithe daofa ag an Comhachumann Fostaíochta ar an oileán: Siúlóid an oileáin, oíche spóirt, oíche ceoil agus dioscó oíche de haoine, a n-oíche dheireanach ar an oileán.

D’fhán na cuairteoirí le teaghlaigh éagsúla ar an oileán i rith na seachtaine agus chuir achan duine fáilte mhór rompu.

Chuaigh siad le daltaí ón tríú bliain suas go dtí an cúigiú bliain ar turas scoile go Béal Feirste ar an Déardaoin. Thug siad cuairt ar an ionad taispeántais titanic ar maidin agus chaith siad an chuid eile don lá ag déanamh siúlóide stairiúil thart fan cathrach agus bhain achan duine sult as an lá speisialta seo.

Cuairt ghairid a bhí ann ach b’fhiú go mór í. Bhí tráth na gceist ar siúl ins an scoil ar an Aoine agus tugadh an t-airgead tógtha so Shiondróm Down, co dhún na NGall. Beidh na daltaí ón Ghearmáin agus daltaí na hidirbhliana Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada ag obair le chéile agus ag díriú isteach ar cúpla tionscnaimh fríd an bhliain.

1. An tábhacht atá ag baint leis an Fharraige
2. Cosúlachtaí agus difríochtaí idir an dá tír (Stair, eacnamaíocht pholaitiúil, cultúir)
3. Saol an mhuintir óig i nGearmáin agus in Éireann (comparáidí)
4. Cúrsaí spóirt
5. Ceol
6. An Aontas Eorpach

Glacfaidh daltaí na hidirbhliana uilig páirt i dturas go Gearmáin níos moille na bliana seo; deis foghlaimthe fhiúntach a bheas ann.

Forbairtí i réimse na Gaelscolaíochta le plé ag Comhdháil Oideachais 2012

Deireadh Fómhair 25, 2012

Tiocfaidh muintir na scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta le chéile ar Dé hAoine, 23 Samhain 2012 don Chomhdháil Oideachais a bheas ar siúl in Óstán an Ardiluan, Gaillimh.

Tá Comhdháil na bliana seo á reáchtáil mar chomhchomhdháil don chéad uair riamh ag Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna Teoranta. Ag seoladh clár na Comhdhála dúirt Máirín Ní Chéileachair, Uachtarán Gaelscoileanna Teo., “Táimid ar bís an deis a thabhairt do na rannpháirtithe ón réimse scolaíochta lán-Ghaeilge laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht teacht le chéile ag an gComhdháil agus deis iontach a bheith acu foghlaim óna chéile”.

Tá clár spéisiúil leagtha amach ag an dá eagraíocht don Chomhdháil a thitfidh amach an mhí seo chugainn agus is cinnte go gclúdófar réimse leathan ábhar le linn an lae. Bunaíodh an clár ar chur chun cinn na litearthachta agus na huimhearthachta sna scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta agus táthar ag súil go gcothóidh an t-ábhar neart plé spéisiúil le linn na Comhdhála.

Dar le Mairéad Ní Chualáin, Cathaoirleach Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo., “Tá clár na bliana seo thar a bheith spéisiúil agus spreagúil agus beidh go leor ábhair idir lámha ar an lá a dhéileálfaidh le mórcheisteanna an oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta”.

Cuirfidh an Dr Muiris Ó Laoire tús leis an bplé nuair a thabharfaidh sé aghaidh ar pheirspictíocht na pleanála teanga i gcur i bhfeidhm na straitéise litearthachta agus uimhearthachta sna scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Leanfar leis an bplé ar chúrsaí litearthachta agus uimhearthachta ar feadh an lae agus tabharfar aghaidh ar neart téamaí ábharthachta eile.

Pléifear córas nua an Teastais Shóisearaigh a thiocfaidh i bhfeidhm in 2014, an tumoideachas, cur chun cinn Aistear: creatchuraclam na Luath-Óige, sna naíonáin agus cur chun cinn na féinmheastóireachta sna scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus Gaeltachta.

Reáchtálfar an Chomhdháil Oideachais ar an 23 Samhain in Óstán an Ardiluan, Gaillimh agus is féidir gach eolas a fháil ó Gaelscoileanna: 01-8535191 agus Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta: 026-65885.

Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com

Gaelscoileanna ‘apartheid’

Deireadh Fómhair 25, 2012

Sir, In the “To Be Honest” column by a parent ( Education Today, October 23rd), a link is made, in the headline no less, between Irish-language education and “educational apartheid”.

Gaeloideachas is not in any way offered to people by dint of an accident of birth, but rather is open to anyone in this State who wishes to do so, based almost exclusively on a first-come, first-served basis.

That this system is often cynically manipulated in a self-serving manner by people seeking to give their children some perceived “better start” in life is not the fault of the State, or the system, nor is it deserving of the type of hyperbole inherent in the “apartheid” assertion.

This sort of unnecessarily emotive comparison is not worthy of a place in your newspaper, and it would give cause to wonder if a little more time spent listening in a school educating through any linguistic medium might perhaps have served the anonymous author better in the long run.

– Yours, etc,

Conchubhair Mac Lochlainn
East Road, Dublin 3.

A Chara,

Oh, God! Why does The Irish Times allow such badly researched opinion pieces about Gaelscoileanna? Once or twice a year your newspaper trots out some elephant to trample on the blossoming flowerbed of Gaelicmedium education.

“Gaelscoileanna are getting away with the worst kind of language apartheid.” At least 99 per cent of the pupils who attend Gaelscoileanna are bilingual by the end of the primary cycle. It is the English-medium primary schools that are guilty of language apartheid by allowing pupils to continue through the education cycle badly instructed in Gaeilge (one of the three core subjects). By producing an annual bilingual figure of less than 10 per cent, English-medium primary schools are putting pupils at an immediate disadvantage when beginning the secondary cycle.

“The language puts up a natural force-field that deflects students from various constituencies.” Gaelscoileanna operate an openarms policy and all constituencies are catered for. In Gaelscoil Chluainín, Co Liatroma, there are 17 nationalities, with all socio-economic groups and learning abilities represented, and this in a school of only 83 pupils.

“Parents are choosing Gaelscoileanna because their children will be educated among citizens from well- to- do backgrounds.” In Dublin alone, children are attending Gaelscoileanna in the predominantly working-class areas of Ballymun, Tallaght, Finglas and Inchicore.

“Gaelcholáistí give preference to children from Gaelscoileanna.” Diligent Dublin parents have had their efforts to establish more Gaelcholáistí continuously thwarted by the Department of Education with the effect that in Dublin there are only 2,000 places available in Gaelcholáistí (secondary), while there are 6,000 places in Gaelscoileanna (primary). This means that many bilingual pupils a year cannot continue their schooling through Irish, thus making it more difficult for children who haven’t yet been taught to spell in Irish to get a place.

The only “shame” attached to education through the medium of Irish is that only a small proportion of children are benefiting from this opportunity.

– Is mise,

Rossa Ó Snodaigh
Mainéar Scríneadh Scrínidh, Cluainín Uí Ruairc, Contae Liatroma.

www.irishtimes.com

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