Tús leis an bpróiseas chun scoileanna faoin Eaglais Chaitliceach a aistriú go pátrúin eile
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Thug an t-Aire Ruairí Quinn fios don phobal inniu maidir leis an gcéad chuid den phróiseas i ndífheistiú scoileanna Caitliceacha. Tá suirbhé á dhéanamh chun mianta tuismitheoirí a mheas maidir le cén cineál bunscoil atá uathu dá gceantar.
Deir Ard-Rúnaí An Foras Pátrúnachta, Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, “Tá an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ag tabhairt níos mó roghanna do thuismitheoirí, sa phróiseas seo, ar an gcineál scoil gur mian leo ó thaobh an meán teagaisc agus sainspiorad na scoile.” Lean Ó hEaghra ag rá, “Tá An Foras Pátrúnachta ábalta freastal ar na mianta éagsúla atá ag tuismitheoirí ó thaobh oideachas lán-Ghaeilge agus sainspiorad Ilchreidmheach, Idirchreidmheach nó Caitliceach.”
Tá tús á chur leis an suirbhé i gcúig cheantar: An tInbhear Mór, Caisleán an Bharraigh, Fionnbhrú (lena n-áirítear An Choill Mhór Thiar agus Beaumont), Baile Átha Troim agus an Trá Mhór. Tá an tAire ag iarraidh ar thuismitheoirí ó na ceantair seo dul ar líne agus an suirbhé a líonadh roimh an Aoine, 09 Samhain 2012. Is féidir an suirbhé a fháil ar suíomh na Roinne ag www.education.ie nó is féidir gach eolas a fháil ar ár suíomh ag www.foras.ie.
Deir ó hEaghra ‘gur deis iontach é seo do thuismitheoirí ar mhaith leo oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ina gceantar. Is fiú dóibh an suirbhé a líonadh agus scoil lán-Ghaeilge faoi An Foras Pátrúnachta a roghnú’. Lean Ó hEaghra ar aghaidh ‘más mian le tuismitheoirí scoil lán-Ghaeilge ba chóir dóibh na buntáistí atá leis a mhíniú do thuismitheoirí eile agus a dtacaíocht a lorg.
Tá An Foras Pátrúnachta ag soláthar éagsúlacht agus iolrachas agus ag freastal ar éileamh thuismitheoirí ó bunaíodh é i 1993. Beidh eolas cuimsitheach mar gheall ar an bpróiseas ar suíomh An Foras Pátrúnachta (www.foras.ie) agus beimid ar fáil chun eolas a sholáthar ar bhuntáistí oideachas lán-Ghaeilge, an sainspiorad Ilchreidmheach nó fúinn mar phátrún.
Le haghaidh agallaimh nó tuilleadh eolais, dean teagmháil le:
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra:: 01-6294110 :: eolas@foras.ie
Siobhán Seoighe :: 01-6294110 :: eolas@foras.ie
Féach blag nua AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA anseo.
Cúntóir Naíonra
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Tá cuntóir naíonra á lorg ag Naíonra Chaitlín Maude.
Is post lanaimseartha é seo (saoire mháithreachais ó 5/11/12).
Uaireanta oibre: 8:30 – 4:30 Luan go hAoine (Naíonra ar maidin agus tar éis am scoile).
€500 sa seachtain.
Teagmháil naionra.cm@gmail.com
Surveys offer parents chance to pick preferred school type
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Parents in five areas where just one of the 26 local primary schools is multi-denominational will have a chance to pick their preferred school type from this morning.
The surveys are the first of 44 to be carried out before Christmas in areas where there is little or no choice apart from Catholic or other religious schools. They may lead to the landmark step of local bishops handing over school facilities if parental demand for alternative patrons emerges. The use of the questionnaire by families in Arklow, Co Wicklow; Castlebar, Co Mayo; Tramore, Co Waterford; Trim, Co Meath; and Whitehall in Dublin will be used as a pilot exercise for the remaining 39 areas where Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has ordered information on demand for different school patrons.
As well as limited school patron choices, the areas have settled populations, making them ineligible in the near future for new schools to be built and offered to non-religious patrons. The parents of existing primary pupils and preschool children are being asked if they want a greater choice of patronage of school type, to include preferences for English or all-Irish schools and mixed or single-sex provision.
The Department of Education asked prospective patrons who might be interested in running a primary school, in 44 areas in June after publication of the report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector set up by Mr Quinn last year. The five areas in the pilot survey have 26 primary schools between them but the only multi-denominational school in all five is in Whitehall in Dublin.
“Modern Ireland is hugely diverse and we have to be sure that our schools cater for this diversity. While we owe a debt to religious bodies for their contribution to education, there is now the potential for change within the primary patronage system to better reflect our society,” Mr Quinn said.
“I am urging all eligible parents to make sure that their voices are heard by taking part in these surveys. This is a historic opportunity for parents to reshape the primary school landscape for generations to come.”
* Pilot area surveys are online at www.education.ie and a helpline is available on 1800 30 36 21.
www.irishexaminer.com
Parents to begin voting on who runs their local primary schools
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
PARENTS are to start voting on who they want to run their local school, in a historic step for Irish education.
The move is aimed at reducing the dominance of the Catholic Church in primary education and handing over some of the 92pc of schools it currently controls to other patron bodies. The church agrees that greater choice is required to reflect recent cultural and ethnic changes and will divest schools to other patrons in line with parental demand.
From today, surveys are being carried out in five of 44 initial areas where the Department of Education has identified a potential demand for greater diversity because of limited choice and no plans to open a new school. The five areas are: Arklow, Co Wicklow; Castlebar, Co Mayo; Tramore, Co Waterford; Trim, Co Meath and Whitehall, Dublin, while the remaining 39 will vote in November.
Parents and guardians of preschool and primary schoolchildren in each area will be surveyed and they will have to supply the PPS number of the parent in receipt of child benefit to confirm that they are eligible to participate. Parents will initially be asked if they want a wider choice of school patrons, and will then be asked to vote in order of preference for the alternative patrons who have expressed an interest in running schools in their areas. They’ll also be asked if they prefer single sex or co-educational schools and if they would prefer an Irish-speaking or English-speaking school.
The Department of Education will run local media campaigns to get the word out, while information will also be available in schools and from the patron bodies. The survey will largely be conducted online, but there will also be a paper-based option for parents, and surveys must be submitted before November 9.
If a demand for alternative patronage is identified, the department will explore with the existing patrons the transfer of patronage of schools. It is impossible to estimate how many of the 3,000 Catholic primary schools will ever be handed over, and at what pace, but Education Minister Ruairi Quinn wants to name the first batch by next June.
The surveys follow on from recommendations from the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, which set out a roadmap for the handover process.As well as providing greater choice on grounds of religion, the advisory body also highlighted a need for more allIrish schools. Mr Quinn described it as a historic opportunity for parents to reshape the primary school landscape for generations to come and urged all those eligible to make sure that their voices were heard. He said for many parents this would be the first time they would have a real say in the type of primary school they want their children to go to, whether it was denominational, multi-denominational, allIrish or another kind.
The survey process will be overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group and detailed reports on the outcomes will be published. The department has set up a free helpline for anyone who has any difficulties with the survey – 1800 303621 – which will be open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.
www.independent.ie
Would-be patrons to face strict code of conduct rules
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Strict rules that include a ban on leaflet drops and budget limits on marketing material have been applied to prospective patrons to ensure a level playing field.
The code of conduct was drawn up in consultation with the five patron bodies applying to take over Catholic schools in areas where demand for change emerges from the parental survey process that begins this week. The local city or county Vocational Education Committee (VEC) has applied to become a patron in all 43 areas where expressions of interest have been received, as has all-Irish schools’ patron An Foras Pátrúnachta. Educate Together is an applicant for all but five areas.
The National Learning Network, the training and employment division of the Rehab Group, has expressed interest in becoming patron to divested schools in five areas. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Nigerian-founded church which applied last year to be a patron in three areas of Dublin where new primary schools are planned, will also be an option for parents in five areas to be surveyed.
The Department of Education said the code of conduct is designed to ensure the surveys are conducted in a reasonable manner, avoiding contentious commentary. Among the key features is a requirement that existing and prospective patrons stick to describing the ethos of schools under their own patronage. “No subjective statements about, direct commentary on, or descriptions of schools under other forms of patronage should be made,” the code states.
Other requirements include:
* A spending limit of €300 per patron on information provision in each survey area, up to a maximum of €4,000 per organisation or group of organisations across all 44 areas;
* No direct canvassing parents through door-to-door canvassing, leaflet drops, telephone or email campaigns;
* Equal representation must be provided for patrons and prospective patrons at public meetings or media discussions.
The Department of Education will publish detailed reports on the surveys, which should be completed by the end of the year.
www.irishexaminer.com
An tAire Quinn ag iarraidh a dtuairimí faoi roghanna pátrúnachta do bhunscoileanna ar thuismitheoirí
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Is iad na tuismitheoirí san Inbhear Mór, Caisleán an Bharraigh, Trá Mhór, Baile Átha Troim agus Fionnbhrú is túisce a ndéanfar suirbhé orthu sa scéim phíolótach
Mar thionscnamh nua, táthar ag iarraidh ar thuismitheoirí i roinnt áirithe ceantar roghnaithe cé hiad na pátrúin a ba mhaith leo iad a fheiceáil ag reáchtáil a gcuid bunscoileanna áitiúla.
Níos luaithe i mbliana, rinne an Grúpa Comhairleach ag an bhFóram faoi Phátrúnacht agus Iolrachas san Earnáil Bhunscoile moltaí don Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, Ruairí Quinn TD faoi dhífheistiú pátrúnachta áit a bhfuil an daonra cobhsaí agus éileamh ar éagsúlacht chineálacha scoileanna.
Tar éis na torthaí seo a fháil, tá an tAire tar éis tosnú ar phróiseas nua chun an cheist a iniúchadh an bhféadfaí roinnt scoileanna a aistriú go dtí comhlachtaí pátrúnachta eile i 44 ceantar ar fud na tíre.
Táthar ag tosnú inniu ar suirbhé a dhéanamh ar thuismitheoirí páistí réamhscoile agus bunscoile i gcúig cheantar tosaigh. Is iad na ceantair sin ná An tInbhear Mór, Caisleán an Bharraigh, Trá Mhór, Baile Átha Troim agus Fionnbhrú (An Chill Mhór Thiar agus Beaumont san áireamh) i mBaile Átha Cliath.
Tá cód iompair déanta amach i gcomhairle leis na comhlachtaí pátrúnachta a chuirfidh teorainn le caiteachas ar sholáthar an eolais. Tá an cód ceaptha chun a chinntiú go seolfar na suirbhéanna i mbealach réasúnta, agus go seachnófar tráchtaireacht chonspóideach.
Ag lainseáil an tionscnaimh dó, dúirt an tAire Quinn, “I gcás an-chuid tuismitheoirí is é seo an chéad uair a mbeidh fíor-rogha acu maidir leis an gcineál bunscoile a ba mhaith leo a bpáistí a bheith ag freastal uirthi, bíodh sí sainchreidmheach, il-sainchreidmheach, lán-Ghaelach nó cineál eile.”
“Tá Éire na nua-aoise an-éagsúil agus ní mór dúinn a bheith cinnte go bhfónann ár scoileanna don éagsúlacht seo. Bíodh is go bhfuilimid faoi chomaoin ag comhlachtaí reiligiúnacha mar gheall ar a gcion oibre san oideachas, tá an fhéidearthacht ann anois go n-athrófaí an córas pátrúnachta bunscoile chun gur fearr a mbeadh sé ag réiteach leis an tsochaí atá anois ann.”
Táthar ag iarraidh ar thuismitheoirí na bpáistí réamhscoile agus bunscoile sna háiteanna seo suirbhéanna a chomhlánú ag cur in iúl céard iad a gcuid roghanna maidir leis an gcineál bunscoile a ba mhaith leo a bpáistí a bheith ag freastal uirthi.
Is éard tá i gceist ná a fháil amach arbh fhearr le tuismitheoirí rogha níos leithne a bheith acu maidir le pátrúnacht scoile ná mar atá acu faoi láthair. Bainfear feidhm as freagraí na dtuismitheoirí chun a chinneadh céard iad na hathruithe, más ann dóibh, gur cheart iad a dhéanamh chun raon níos leithne cineálacha bunscoile a chur ar fail sna háiteanna seo.
Is iad na pátrúin atá ann faoi láthair sna cúig cheantar phíolótacha ná An Foras Pátrúnachta agus easpaig de chuid na hEaglaise Caitlicí agus Eaglais na hÉireann.
Is iad na comhlachtaí pátrúnachta atá tar éis a léiriú go mba shuim leo bheith ina bpátrúin ar scoileanna dífheistithe sna cúig cheantar ná An Foras Pátrúnachta, Ag Foghlaim le Chéile, CGOanna, an Líonra Náisiúnta Foghlama, agus an Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Lean an tAire Quinn air, “Táim ag gríosú na dtuismitheoirí intofa go léir chun deimhin a dhéanamh de go n-éistfear dá nglór trí páirt a ghlacadh sna suirbhéanna seo. Deis stairiúil í seo do thuismitheoirí chun tírdhreach na bunscolaíochta a athchumrú do na glúine atá le teacht.”
“Tar éis don suirbhé a bheith píolótaithe sna cúig cheantar tosaigh, beimid á chur i bhfeidhm sna 44 ceantar eile an mhí seo chugainn.”
Is é an Grúpa neamhspleách um Scoileanna Nua a Bhunú a dhéanfaidh maoirseacht ar phróiseas an tsuirbhé. Foilseoidh an Roinn tuairiscí mionsonraithe ar thorthaí na suirbhéanna.
Má shonraíonn na suirbhéanna éileamh ar phátrúnacht eile sna ceantair seo, breithneoidh an Roinn aistriú phátrúnacht scoileanna i gcomhar leis na pátrúin atá ann cheana.
Tá an suirbhé le fáil ag: www.education.ie agus iarrtar ar gach tuismitheoir agus caomhnóir intofa é a chomhlánú ar líne faoi 9ú Samhain. Moltar do thuismitheoirí agus caomhnóirí a n-uimhir PSP a bheith in aice láimhe acu nuair a bheidh siad ag rochtain ar an suirbhé ar líne mar iarrfar seo chun críocha bailíochtaithe.
Tá líne chabhrach saor ar fáil sa Roinn d’aon duine a bhfuil deacrachtaí ar bith aige/aici ag comhlánú an tsuirbhé: 1800 303621. Beidh an Líne Chabhrach seo ar oscailt ó 9.30am go 1pm agus ó 2pm go 5pm ón Luan go dtí an Aoine.
Mas rud é nach féidir le tuismitheoirí rochtain ar an suirbhé ar líne, is féidir cóip chrua a iarraidh ach glaoch a chur ar an uimhir shaorghlao 1800 303621.
CRÍOCH
Liosta nuashonraithe ceantar le cur san áireamh i gcéim tosaigh na suirbhéanna
An tInbhear Mór
Béal an Átha
Béal Átha na Sluaighe
Baile Formaid/Séipéal Iosóid/Baile Phámar/Gort na Silíní[1]
Droichead na Bandan
Biorra
Bun Cranncha
Carraig na Siúire
Carraig Uí Leighin
Caisleán an Bharraigh
Cill Droichid
Cluain Meala
Cóbh
Baile Átha Cliath 6
Dún Garbháin
Éadan Doire
Inis Córthaidh
Mainistir Fhear Maí
Ceanannas
Cill Dara
Cill Airne
Léim an Bhradáin
An Longfort
Baile Locha Riach
Mullach Íde
Muineachán
An tAonach
Ros Mhic Thriúin
An Pasáiste Thiar
Port Mearnóg
Ros Comáin
Ros Cré
An Ros
Sionainn
Na Sceirí
Durlas
Tiobraid Árann
Trá Mhór
Baile Átha Troim
Tuaim
Cathair na Mart
Cill Mhantáin
Eochaill
Fionnbhrú (An Chill Mhór Thiar agus Beaumont san áireamh)
[1]Nótail le do thoil go bhfuil an ceantar seo ag dul in ionad Baile Átha Cliath 4 sa liosta bunaidh de 44 ceantar, mar go n-osclófar bunscoil nua sna blianta atá le teacht a chuirfidh éagsúlacht ar fáil i gceantar Baile Átha Cliath 4
Change in patronage of schools will be a slow process – Ruairi Quinn
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Minister Quinn said that there are 3,200 primary schools in Ireland, 93% of which are under Roman Catholic patronage, for historical reasons.
He said there are a lot of people who want a Roman Catholic education for their children and there are many others who want something.
He said what the department is trying to do is to take a historical legacy and respect the voyage of young children through the educational process, while at the same time providing for a diversity of choice of parents.
Minister Quinn said that there is an online survey that parents can be take part in.
It is open to parents with pre-school and primary school going children in Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall in Dublin.
Surveys were recommended by the Forum on Pluralism and Patronage which published its report earlier this year.
The report of the forum suggested that up to 50 schools in areas where choice is limited or non-existent should change patron to provide for diversity.
Parents of young children in the five aforementioned towns will be surveyed to see what kind of school they want.
If there was a demand for change, they will talk to existing school patrons about the transfer of schools. A further 39 areas will then be surveyed.
The first such transfers are likely to take place in the capital.
The Catholic archdiocese is currently engaged in what it calls a “reorganisation” of its schools.
RTÉ news understands that one such reorganisation is close to completion and could result in the transfer of one Catholic school to multi-denominational status in the very near future.
Minister insists Junior Cert overhaul will go ahead
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
The major overhaul of the Junior Certificate will proceed as planned despite teachers’ claims they have not been consulted, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn insisted yesterday.
While the executive of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (Asti) met to consider the changes announced last month by Mr Quinn, he was outlining the plans to school principals at their annual conference in Galway. Among the planned changes to be phased in from 2014 is that teachers will set and mark exams and project work for their own students. Irish, English, and maths will continue to be set by the State Examinations Commission, for a few years. Mr Quinn told the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals that the changes will go ahead as announced.
“The decisions have been made, that’s my responsibility as a politician and minister — to make decisions and then consult people about how to implement them,” Mr Quinn said.
“It’s an important distinction. Some of our colleagues in the education space have confused the two.”
An Asti statement said its standing committee has made plans for a consultation among its members over the coming months, with the findings to be given to Mr Quinn after a national conference in April.
“There is a lot of anger in schools that the views and experiences of teachers were not sought before these reforms were announced,” Asti president Gerry Breslin said.
The plan was based largely around a draft framework produced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which includes teacher union representatives, a year ago. Mr Quinn went further than its recommendations by making the entire exam and assessment plans school-based.
“While the Junior Certificate has flaws, one of its greatest strengths is that it has a high status in the minds of students, teachers, and parents. The decision to axe State certification at junior cycle level will have a negative impact on students’ educational experiences,” Mr Breslin said.
Mr Quinn said yesterday there should be no additional work for teachers and that training will be provided on assessment methods and moderation procedures to ensure fairness and transparency. School work done in second and third year will be worth 40% of marks in each subject and will be set and marked by students’ own teachers. Mr Quinn said he had incorrectly referred to this element as continuous assessment. “It’s not continuous assessment, it’s periodic work programme assessment, I want to clarify that,” he said.
www.irishexaminer.com
Teachers reaffirm opposition to Junior Cert changes
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Second-level teachers have reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed changes in the Junior Cert.
The Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) is to begin “a comprehensive programme of consultation with teachers in second-level schools all over Ireland” on the new plans.
The decision follows a meeting of the ASTI standing committee or executive yesterday which reaffirmed the union’s view that junior cycle reform must be educationally sound and workable.
The consultation initiative will include meetings with teachers in schools and a national conference in April 2013. Findings will be communicated to the Minister and other stakeholders.
www.irishtimes.com
Gabhann Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta comhghairdeas le Scoil na Fuiseoige
Deireadh Fómhair 22, 2012
Foirgneamh Úr Scoil na Fuiseoige
Dúirt Dr. Micheál Ó Duibh Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, “Tá áthas orm gur cuireadh cuireadh orm bheith i láthair ag oscailt fhoirgneamh na scoile úire Scoil na Fuiseoige. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an scoil as an chuireadh seo. Is cúis bhroid dom bheith mar chuid d’earnáil atá go fóill ag fás agus ag forbairt. Is léiriú maith é Scoil na Fuiseoige ar an fhás agus ar an fhorbairt sin in earnáil na gaelscolaíochta agus rachaidh infheistíocht na Roinne Oideachais go mór ar leas dhaltaí na gaelscolaíochta sa chuid seo de Bhéal Feirste”.
Anuas air seo dúirt an Dr. Micheál Ó Duibh, “Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas ó chroí a ghabháil le gach duine a raibh baint acu le Scoil na Fuiseoige go háirithe Príomhoide na Scoile Eilís Uí Neill, Bord Gobharnóirí, foireann, tuistí, daltaí agus pobal iomlán na gaelscolaíochta sa cheantar. Gabhaim comhghairdeas daoibh as an obair uilig atá curtha isteach acu leis an staid seo i bhforbairt na scoile a bhaint amach. Tá áthas orm fosta go raibh Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta ábalta tacaíocht a thabhairt don scoil ina feachtas le cóiríocht chuí a fháil don scoil”.
“Tá an scoil seo anois go hiomlán réidh agus ullmhaithe chun riar ar riachtanais dhaltaí na gaelscolaíochta sa blianta atá amach romhainn agus guím gach ráth ar phobal na scoile sna blianta atá amach romhainn”.
