Rebel teachers could stall plan for new Junior Cert
Meán Fómhair 23, 2013
PROTESTING second- level teachers may force Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to delay plans for a new- style Junior Cert next September.
A union ban on training for the new English syllabus, due to start in little over a month, is on the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) list of possible actions after it rejected the Haddington Road Agreement. It would strike at the heart of Mr Quinn’s reform agenda, causing maximum discomfort for the minister rather than for schools and students. The 17,000- member ASTI gave the green light for industrial action, up to and including a strike, as it voted against the pay and productivity deal. General secretary Pat King said they had had enough of being asked to do more with less. ASTI members, particularly younger teachers, face more painful changes in pay and conditions than members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) or the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), both of which accepted the agreement.
Apart from lower starting pay and a permanent three-year delay on increments, those who have not signed up to the deal are vulnerable to other changes in conditions and redundancy. Action by ASTI would affect about two-thirds of the country’s 730 second-level schools. It is the only teachers’ union in voluntary secondary schools – those traditionally run by the religious – and shares representation with TUI in community and comprehensive schools. As the union leadership prepared for a meeting today to decide on its next step, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton reiterated that there would be no renegotiation of the deal.
Headaches
“We are trying to make sure we can deliver at the front line. People have agreed to make changes and we are implementing them,” he said. The ASTI move has thrown the education community into turmoil. At the very least, it will cause serious administrative headaches for schools and for the Department of Education. Today’s meeting of the 23- member ASTI Standing Committee, whose role is to implement union policy, will decide on what action to take. It is likely to instruct members to stop co-operating with the extra 33 hours a year introduced in the Croke Park Agreement, with a view to minimising the impact of events such as school planning or parentteacher meetings on class time. That will force school managers to either bring such meetings into the normal school day, eating into tuition time and perhaps causing students to be sent home early, or cancel them. Mr King said that while withdrawing co-operation with the terms of the Croke Park Agreement would cause administrative headaches, “I hope it will not affect students”. Short of work stoppages, the ASTI list of possible actions includes withdrawing from initiatives such as the new-style Junior Cert, which is a particular bugbear for ASTI members. They oppose one of its key concepts – assessment by teachers of their own students in place of the traditional state exam.
www.irishindependent.ie
Concern as gaelcholáiste cuts pupil intake
Meán Fómhair 20, 2013
Children who want to be taught through Irish will have to be driven past a local school on Cork’s northside to others several miles away because of a one-third cut in intake, a councillor has claimed.
Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG at the North Monastery is only admitting 58 pupils next September. This was announced in an enrolment policy published this week. The school accepted more than 80 first-year students in each of the last three or four years.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn allowed the Edmund Rice School Trust (ERST) to replace the board with a temporary manager earlier this year after disagreement between trustees and the board, largely on whether to continue enrolling three first-year classes. The new policy says space is no longer available for three classes in Sept 2014.
Cllr Thomas Gould (SF) said temporary accommodation should be provided for the next year or two until capacity issues are resolved.
“The school is a victim of its own success, it’s a great school. But parents and children, and particularly those living locally, are hugely stressed about this. It will mean some having to go to Ballincollig, Glanmire, or the city centre to get the education in Irish that they want,” he said.
Mr Gould is a board member at nearby Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, where he also has a child enrolled. It is one of the schools where he says pupils wanting to attend the gaelcholáiste in 2014 might not get in.
The number of students at Gaelcholáiste Mhuire has risen from 354 to 445 since 2010, but the new policy says the process to decide who will be offered places next year is fair and understandable.
ERST chief executive Gerry Bennett said the trust is satisfied that the manager consulted widely about the policy, which explains the rationale for the decisions, and the trust approved it last week.
Children with a brother or sister currently enrolled will get first priority on places next year, followed by siblings of past pupils, then children of staff. The next stage of the process will see places offered to applicants from two ERST boys’ primary schools — one at North Monastery and one in Blarney St — and two local girls’ convent schools.
Mr Gould believes fewer than 20 places will be left and even pupils in the next group of feeder schools could face a lottery at that stage. These schools are: Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, and Scoil Iosagáin and Scoil Aiséirí Chríost, both in nearby Farranree and overlooking the gaelcholáiste.
The concern is that no places will be left for pupils at the next group: Sunday’s Well Boys and Sunday’s Well Girls national schools; Gaelscoil Ghoirt Álainn, Mayfield; Scoil Mhuire, Rathpeacon; Scoil Oilibhéir, Ballyvolane; and Scoil Padre Pio, Churchfield.
Sunday’s Well Boys NS principal Paddy Lynch expressed disappointment, as it has been a feeder school to the gaelcholáiste for 30 years, and sends an average of five pupils each year.
“To date, the children of our school had the right to be educated through the medium of the official language of the State. This proposed criteria denies them that basic right as well as changing the fabric of how education operates in the north of this city,” he said.
www.irishexaminer.com
Critéir Pleanála Teanga fógartha
Meán Fómhair 20, 2013
Tá na critéir pleanála teanga faoi Alt 12 d’Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 fógartha ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an tseachtain seo. Bainfear leas as na critéir seo chun measúnú a dhéanamh ar na pleananna teanga a ullmhófar do na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, do na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus do na Líonraí Gaeilge.
Faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 roinneadh an Ghaeltacht i 19 ceantar pleanála teanga faoi leith, agus é i gceist go mbeadh plean teanga uathúil le dréachtú do gach ceantar acu sin. Ag an am sin, bhí sé aontaithe go roghnófaí príomheagraíocht cinnireachta amháin i ngach ceantar pleanála teanga chun an próiseas a stiúradh ar an talamh, le cúnamh ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. I mBealtaine na bliana seo, fógraíodh go ndéanfaí athdhréachtú ar na ceantair a roghnaíodh, ionas go mbeadh 26 ceantar ann in áit 19.
Agus é ag fógairt na critéir pleanála teanga an tseachtain seo, dúirt an tAire Stáit Gaeltachta, Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich, T.D., gur “ionann foilsiú na gcritéar seo agus céim eile chun tosaigh sa phróiseas pleanála teanga. Mar thoradh ar na Rialacháin seo, tá soiléireacht ann faoi na critéir a bheidh in úsáid nuair a bheidh mo Roinnse ag déanamh measúnú ar phleananna teanga sula ndéanfar iad a fhaomhadh. Bunaithe ar an phróiseas sin, beidh stádas mar Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, mar Bhailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta nó mar Líonraí Gaeilge le bronnadh ar cheantair éagsúla, de réir mar is cuí, i gcomhréir le hAcht na Gaeltachta.”
Is mar seo thíos atá na chéad chéimeanna eile leagtha síos le glacadh ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus le Foras na Gaeilge, chun an próiseas pleanála teanga a bhrú chun cinn:
- Tá an Roinn ag obair ar threoirlínte, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus le Foras na Gaeilge, a leagfaidh síos próiseas trédhearcach d’ullmhú, d’fheidhmiú agus do mheasúnú na bpleananna teanga sna limistéir, sna bailte agus sna líonraí. Cabhróidh na treoirlínte leis na heagraíochtaí pobail agus iad ag tabhairt faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga ar an talamh.
- Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge ag leagan amach córas trédhearcach faoina roghnófar eagraíochtaí chun pleananna teanga a ullmhú agus a fheidhmiú sna ceantair éagsúla.
- Tá an Roinn ag obair, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, ar na fógraí faoi alt 7(3) den Acht a dhéanfaidh sainiú ar na toghranna éagsúla a bheidh i gceist sna 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta.
Is féidir teacht ar na critéir pleanála teanga ach gliogáil ar an nasc thíos: Ionstraimí Reachtúla IR 357 de 2013 (Critéir Pleanála Teanga).pdf
History in schools
Meán Fómhair 20, 2013
Sir, — Tom Collins (“Compulsory history, an anathema”, Education, September 18th) writes that “it is ironic that historians should find themselves arguing for compulsion, given the experience of compulsory Irish”.
It is not clear that Prof Collins has himself considered the experience of compulsory Irish quantitatively. The facts are that only geography and English had a higher number of students sitting higher level papers than sat the Irish paper in the Leaving Cert last June.
For a subject that is the target of all manner of negativity in this country for cultural reasons – often hidden behind the “I’d have really loved Irish if it wasn’t compulsory” argument – it is remarkable that almost 40 per cent of students sitting the exam chose higher level, when they were not compelled to do so.
Incidentally, while Irish is always the popular target when talking about compulsion, let us not forget either that 50,000 students sat maths in the Leaving Cert, while only 43,000 sat “compulsory” Irish. Compulsion ain’t what it used to be, it seems.
The relevance of history – even from a general knowledge perspective – as a central part of any educational system which purports to produce informed rounded citizens is self-evident.
It would be a shame if t he teaching of history were to fall victim to some specious political crusade to be seen to promote “choice”. In the average post-primary school, students find their choices extremely limited anyway, not least because of the constant cuts.
Had my daughter started post-primary school five years ago she could have studied two European languages but now because of cuts she can do only one in that school. In that context, talk of choice is risible.
This development is far more about creating the illusion of choice, as part of the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn’s “reforming ” agenda, than creating actual choice, which would require more teachers teaching mo r e subjects. –
Yours, etc, Martin Ryan, Springlawn Close Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
www.irishtimes.com
Ranganna Gaeilge i Loch Garman
Meán Fómhair 19, 2013
Ranganna Gaeilge 2013-14
Tá ár ranganna Gaeilge le haghaidh daoine fásta ar ais i Loch Garman.
Tá leibhéal ann do gach duine!
Anuas ar sin, tá an-áthas ar na Macallaí a fhógairt go bhfuil aitheantas oifigiúil ag TEG Leibhéal B2 ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna.
Ciallaíonn sé seo go sásaíonn TEG Leibhéal B2 na critéir iontrála do chúrsaí fochéime agus iarchéime san Oideachas sna coláistí oideachais.
Is deis iontach é seo do dhaoine gur mhaith leo dul le gairm na múinteoireachta nach bhfuil na riachtanais iontrála chuí acu do na coláistí oideachais, mar shampla, Gaeilge Ardleibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta.
Neamhchosúil leis an siollabas agus an scrúdú Ardteistiméireachta, tá siollabais agus scrúduithe TEG dírithe ar an bhfoghlaimeoir fásta, rud a chuireann go mór leis an taithí foghlama.
N.B A course will only be run where there is sufficient demand, 8-10 participants minimum
Dátaí Clárúcháin:30/09/2013
Ionad: Loch Garman @ An Tobar, Westgate Heritage Centre
Am:7.30i.n
Gach eolas: oifig@lochgarman.ie 087 913 5271 www.lochgarman.ie
Irish oral preparation classes with Conradh na Gaeilge
Meán Fómhair 19, 2013
Conradh na Gaeilge’s Leaving Certificate oral Irish preparation course will commence on Friday September 27.
Forty per cent of the Irish Leaving Cert exam is allocated to the oral examination. The course will cover every aspect of the oral examination and will provide the tools to gain confidence in the language. Classes will run each Friday for 10 weeks at Áras na nGael, 45 Dominick Street. Each class will last 1.5 hours, with two classes to choose from — 5pm or 6.30pm.
Early booking is advised, as there are limited spaces available. For more information contact Conradh na Gaeilge on 091 567824, conradh@bradan.iol.ie, or visit www.arasnangael.ie
www.advertiser.ie
Permission granted for Coláiste na Coiribe
Meán Fómhair 19, 2013
There was great celebration this week with the news that planning permission has been granted by An Bord Pleanála for the new Coláiste na Coiribe all Irish secondary school in Knocknacarra.
The bord granted permission with 19 conditions – three of which specifically deal with local residents’ concerns, such as the erection of signage preventing through traffic, construction of a gate, and the development of a traffic plan – for the school, which is set to cater for 720 students The development has been welcomed by Independent city councillor Catherine Connolly, who described it as “fantastic news”, which sees the “residents fully vindicated” after a “very long battle”. Planning permission for the school was granted by the Galway City Council in April, but residents of Fána Burca believed their concerns about the proposed building were not taken on board and so appealed the decision to ABP. The residents sought the development of a traffic plan to prevent school traffic using Fána Burca as a through way and/or drop-off point.
They also wanted a gate on the pedestrian/cycle entrance from the estate to the new school. This gate, residents argued, could be open during the day to allow full pedestrian/cycle access and closed in the evening. Their concerns were supported by Cllr Connolly who was a member of both the City Vocational Education Committee and the board of management of Colaiste na Coiribe from 1999 to 2009 “This was a very difficult decision for both the residents and myself as I had fought every step of the way for the new school,” she said. Cllr Connolly also facilitated a meeting between city planners and Fána Burca residents. With planning permission now granted for the school and residents concerns met, Cllr Connolly said the next step is to ensure “the rapid construction” of Coláiste na Coiribea “in accordance with the conditions and a celebration on its opening”.
www.advertiser.ie
Slán le Foinse
Meán Fómhair 19, 2013
Tá pobal na Gaeilge fágtha gan nuachtán Gaeilge de shaghas ar bith leis an scéal nach mbeidh Foinse á chur i gcló feasta.
Ó Fhómhair na bliana 2009 bhí Foinse á fhoilsiú mar iatán san Irish Independent agus é ar fáil gach Céadaoin. Bunaíodh Foinse i dtús ama sa bhliain 1996 agus bhí teacht air go seachtainiúil go dtí gur tharraing Foras na Gaeilge an maoiniú a bhí á gcur ar fáil don nuachtán i samhradh na bliana 2009. Ag tús na bliana seo, ghlac Foras na Gaeilge cinneadh deireadh a chuir le maoiniú an nuachtán Gaelscéal, rud a chuir an nuachtán sin go tóin poill. Easpa díolacháin an chúis a thug an Foras le tarraingt siar an deontas agus deir an Foras gur thart ar 1,300/1,400 cóip in aghaidh na seachtaine a bhí á dhíol ag an nuachtán sna siopaí. Tá Foras na Gaeilge i mbun taighde faoi thodhchaí na hearnála seo agus sraith chruinnithe eagraithe acu timpeall na tíre ach níl tuairisc ar bith faoi thoradh an taighde seo go fóill. Ní fios cén tionchar a bheidh ar an taighde seo ar an ráiteas a d’fhoilsigh an Foras i mí Feabhra seo caite inar léirigh siad gur mheasadar “nach é an fhormáid chlóite an bealach is oiriúnaí le seirbhís nuachta a sholáthar do phobal léitheoireachta na Gaeilge.”
Pé scéal é, fágann seo ar fad go bhfuil pobal na Gaeilge fágtha gan nuachtán i nGaeilge agus go bhfuil ardán eile bainte d’iriseoirí na Gaeilge. Is bocht an scéal é freisin go bhfuil foireann nuachtán eile anois ar an dól. Déanann Lár Sráide comhbhrón le foireann Fhoinse agus tá súil nach fada go mbeidh siad ar ais arís ag plé le saol na meáin agus na Gaeilge.
www.advertiser.ie
Eagraíocht Gaeltachta i mbaol
Meán Fómhair 19, 2013
Tionólfar cruinniú éigeandála d’Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta i nGaillimh ag deireadh na míosa seo chun cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi thodhchaí na heagraíochta mar thoradh ar chinneadh na Roinne Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta go gcuirfear deireadh le maoiniú Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta ó dheireadh na bliana seo.
Feidhmíonn Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta thar cheann bunscoileanna agus meánscoileanna Gaeltachta. Cuireann sé tacaíocht agus comhairle ar fáil do scoileanna Gaeltachta ar fud na tíre agus troideann sé ar son na scoileanna seo, go háirithe maidir lena ciorraithe atá a dhéanamh sa chóras oideachais. Tá baol mór ann anois faoi thodhchaí na heagraíochta mar gan maoiniú agus tacaíocht foirne is beag dul chun cinn ar féidir leo a dhéanamh.
www.advertiser.ie
Ranganna pianó trí mheán na Gaeilge
Meán Fómhair 18, 2013
Ar mhaith leat go bhfoghlaimeodh do pháiste an pianó trí mheán na Gaeilge?
Tá ranganna piano trí mheán na Gaeilge ar fáil ó leibhéal ghlan tosaitheoirí go leibhéal Dioplóma ag múinteoir pianó láncháilithe agus ceoltóir proifisiúnta.
Tá go leor taithí ag an múinteoir áirithe seo bheith ag múineadh an phianó in institiúidí éagsúla ceoil in Éirinn, saineolas ar mhúineadh an phianó trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Is ball í de Chumann Mhúinteoirí Pianó na hEorpa (EPTA), an chomhlacht le haghaidh mhúinteoirí proifisiúnta san Eoraip.
Beidh na ranganna lonnaithe i mBaile Átha Cliath
Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ach glaoch a chur ar 087 673 0805
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
