Gairmeacha le Gaeilge i Machaire Rátha
November 21, 2012
Au Pair le Gaeilge
November 20, 2012
Young people of Ireland declare daring strategy to improve state of the nation
November 20, 2012
Legislation for the X case, a referendum on abortion, and a new approach to teaching Irish are among a list of proposals contained in a declaration unveiled by young people at a presidency seminar on Saturday.
President Michael D Higgins and 100 people aged 17 to 26 convened in Áras an Uachtaráin to consider the drafting of the “Take Charge of Change” declaration, the culmination of a six-month nationwide engagement with more than 700 young people.
The process, initiated by Mr Higgins in May, also resulted in the publication of a report titled Being Young in Ireland 2012. The report formed the basis of Saturday’s declaration and reveals concerns about employment, the future of the economy, political reform, citizen participation and education for a full life.
In particular it highlights a desire among young people to see greater equality and a wider acceptance of diversity in Irish society. It recommends diversity training in schools and calls for the drafting of a Constitution which “represents all members of our society regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation”.
Vision
The declaration was delivered before Mr Higgins, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald and representatives of various State agencies.
It states: “Our vision for Ireland is [of] a secular, inclusive, multilingual, confident State with excellent and universally accessible education, health and social support systems; an Ireland of which we can be proud on the global stage; a place where people, arts, culture, heritage, sport and the Irish language are nurtured and developed.”
It outlines a vision of community co-operation, active citizenship and a “place where human rights are valued; where there is an acceptance and celebration of all citizens and where all people have equality of access, equality of opportunity in society and in the State”.
Afterwards the President said “any president of any country in the world would be enormously proud of the presentation”. He praised the focus on social justice, education, and the promotion of diversity.
“If anyone is in any doubt now about the myth that’s going around that young people are disengaged, disaffected and cynical, well there is your answer,” he added.
He expressed his wish that the proposals got a real, rapid and positive response at every level of politics and within institutions of State. “It must not be a lost conversation, a lost consultation,” he said.
The wide-ranging declaration called on legislators to extend equal marriage and adoption rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. It also urged the Government to increase its engagement with the diaspora by extending voting rights to emigrants.
The young people called for reform of the Leaving Certificate, saying the points system and emphasis on rote learning failed to prepare students for “active citizenship”.
Inspiring
Ms Fitzgerald said the submissions were inspiring. “Having your voice heard and bringing about change are not easily achieved,” she added.
She praised the participants for making a positive start in attempting to bring about change and promised to “work with the Government and the President to make sure full attention is given to your findings”.
She said she would study the views with a particular interest in drawing on them for the young people’s strategy, currently being drafted, and would pass on relevant proposals to the appropriate authorities.
Yesterday youth organisation spunout.iecalled on the Government to take action on the proposals or “risk alienating young people further from the democratic process”.
Declaration main proposals
Adopt a dual approach to teaching Irish at Leaving Certificate level: the first (compulsory) subject focused on speaking, the second (optional) subject focused on literature, driven by foundation of Gaelscoileanna.
Legislate for the X case.
Develop social opportunities for the Irish language.
Make marriage equality and adoption rights a reality.
Legislate for absentee voting for citizens outside of their constituencies and abroad.
Begin a campaign by young people to promote active citizenship.
Provide CAO points recognition for volunteering and community involvement.
Sustain and increase funding to the youth sector.
Reform Leaving Certificate (hands-on class participation) and opportunities for lifelong learning.
Empower local government so our national representatives do not engage in parochial politics.
Provide dedicated classes in primary and post primary schools to educating young people on diversity, tolerance and acceptance.
Provide more funding for special education needs and broaden IT curriculum at second level.
Pursue a secular Irish State.
Reform curriculum at second level to include greater emphasis on political education.
Create a graduate employment scheme based on relevant skills (not Job Bridge).
http://www.irishtimes.com/
ELeathanach – áis léitheoireachta do pháistí bunscoile
November 20, 2012
Online courses in Irish
November 20, 2012
An exclusive deal for Gaelchultúr’s online courses:
• Gaeilge gan Stró! Lower Intermediate Level, TEG, B1: You have the cúpla focal, or perhaps you did it at school—Give it a go. Pay €80, get €30 back*
• Gramadach gan Stró! Grammer challenge—Bí crógach—Give it a go. Pay €80, get €30 back*
• Tusa agus do Ríomhaire: Technology and Gaeilge. Pay €35, get €15 back*
*Get stated amount back if course is completed within six months.
Eolas/ Info: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
This project is co-sponsored by Gaeilge Locha Riach and County Galway Vocational Education Committee for East Galway.
Government must carefully consider the Irish language in Budget 2013
November 20, 2012
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, the umbrella body for Irish language voluntary organisations is calling on the Government to carefully consider Irish language issues in the upcoming Budget 2013, and to express their support for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
In a prebudget submission to Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., An Chomhdháil, the central steering council for the Irish language community, demanded the support structures for the language, which have been diligently constructed over many years by both the public and the State, be protected in Budget 2013.
Focussing on the 20 Year Strategy for the language, An Chomhdháil warns the Minister for Finance, that this strategy cannot be successfully implemented without adequate State support and investment. Particular attention is given in the submission to two policies introduced earlier this year under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, namely the Family Language Support Programme and the Language Planning Process.
An Chomhdháil contends adequate investment is required to ensure a focus on practical methods to support parents across the country who wish to raise their families through Irish.
An Chomhdháil maintains further resources, particularly human resources, must be made available through Údarás na Gaeltachta to those community organisations who already have challenging workloads and are now expected to achieve language planning results, under the recent Language Planning Process. An Chomhdháil recommends practical instruction be given to these community groups to enable them to engage appropriately with the Language Planning Process.
Further recommendations are proposed in relation to the review of the Official Languages Act 2003, to Údarás na Gaeltachta and to Ciste na Gaeilge, and to the staffing crisis at An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). The submission also recommends charity status be automatically bestowed on those organisations working in the Irish language voluntary sector which would allow them a preferable VAT rate.
The prebudget submission discusses the rationalisation of the Irish language core-funded sector a process embarked upon by Foras na Gaeilge in 2008 which is still on-going.
Kevin De Barra, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge claims: “No study has been done on the work of the core-funded organisations in the four year period since Foras na Gaeilge first began their rationalisation. While we wait in limbo for the funding reshuffle to occur, the annual budgets of the voluntary organisations have been slashed year on year”.
With a new funding model to be put before the North South Ministerial Council on 12th December 2012, exactly one week after the announcement of Budget 2013, De Barra says: “We call on the Government to ensure adequate resources are provided to the Irish language voluntary sector so that we may build on the good work undertaken to date. We are not adverse to change, but we must be convinced that any new model will positively impact the promotion of the Irish language in the future”.
The full prebudget submission, (Irish only), can be downloaded below: Aighneacht Réamhbhuiséid.
A Press Release issued by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Published on Gaelport.com
Education Conference on November 23rd – Programme available
November 19, 2012
This year’s conference will be hosted in partnership with Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. Comhdháil Oideachais GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. agus Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo. will be held in the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway on November 23rd 2012.
Conference Programme
Resolutions and nominations
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. would like to encourage schools’ participation in the work of the organisation and on its board of directors, so that it is fully representative of its members. Information on how to put forward resolutions and nominations for the organisation’s AGM is available here.
- To submit a Resolution: Foirm Rúin
- To submit a nomination: Foirm Ainmniúcháin
Information on membership of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is available here.
Membership form: Membership Form Jan-Dec 2012
Exhibition space at the Conference
Unfortunately all of our exhibition spaces are booked out for this year’s conference. You are very welcome to contact the Development Officer if you wish to be added to a waiting list.
Accommodation
Information on the rates in the Ardilaun and on alternative accommodation is available here.
Register to attend
Schools and organisations can register delegates to attend the conference by filling out the form below. If there are more than four delegates to attend from any one school/organisation, please contact our office directly on 01 8535193 or oifig@gaelscoileanna.ie instead of registering online, as you will be eligible for a discount.
Oops! We could not locate your form.
Tacaíocht don Áisaonad
November 19, 2012
Dráma Nollag
November 19, 2012
CORE – simply the best Course
November 19, 2012
The CORE project uses systematic, qualitative methods of action-research to investigate the implementation of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated
Learning) “on the ground” in primary and secondary schools within a variety of socio-linguistic contexts in five European countries. We give a particular emphasis to multi-lingual and officially bi-lingual regions. We complement current and often “top-down” theory and practice with a “bottom-up” exploration of “what works where, and why”.
The result will be an innovative, practitioner-led integration of core CLIL principles into a self-sustainable and perpetually renewable state-of-the-art training and support programme for the local management of CLIL innovation by school leaders and other senior managers using the resources of their local educational networks.
The project will draw upon the knowledge and experience of the educational advisors in its team in the organizational theory and practice of innovation management, and the use of AfL (Assessment for Learning) as a student-centered mechanism for the local evaluation of CLIL programmes
Interested partners should apply to their National Agency for funding before 16th Jan 2013.
The list of National Agencies can be found on:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/national_en.htm
Web site for the project is:
www.coreproject.no
