Scrúduithe TEG 2013: DÁTAÍ & IONAID
Feabhra 15, 2013
Beidh Scrúduithe TEG 2013 ar siúl sna hionaid seo:
- An Spidéal
- Béal Feirste
- Caisleán an Bharraigh
- Cill Airne
- Cill Chainnigh
- Corcaigh
- Leitir Ceanainn
- Luimneach
- Má Nuad Páras
- Prág
- Nua Eabhrac
- Ottawa
- Toronto
- B2 20 Aibreán 2013*
- B1 27 Aibreán 2013
- A2 11 Bealtaine 2013
- A1 25 Bealtaine 2013
*Glactar le Leibhéal B2 mar cheann de na critéir iontrála do chúrsaí sa bhunmhúinteoireacht sna coláistí Oideachais agus Coláiste Hibernia.
Is é an dáta deiridh d’iarratais ar scrúduithe TEG ná 21 Márta 2013.
Tuilleadh eolais: http://www.teg.ie/gaeilge/ioc_ar_line.htm
Dírigh ar do chumas labhartha! PÁIRTCHREIDIÚINT AR FÁIL
Tá páirtchreidiúint ar fáil den chéad uair i mbliana do dhaoine gur mhaith leo an scrúdú cainte amháin a dhéanamh. Mar sin, beidh dhá rogha ag iarrthóirí 2013:
Scrúdú iomlán TEG a dhéanamh in Aibreán/Bealtaine agus creidiúint iomlán a fháil;
NÓ An scrúdú cainte amháin a dhéanamh in Aibreán/Bealtaine agus páirtchreidiúint a fháil.
Beidh foireann TEG sásta scrúduithe cainte a reáchtáil ag amanna eile i rith na bliana do ghrúpaí in ionaid ar fud na tíre. Cuir glaoch ar (01) 708 6417.
Ócáid do theaghlaigh: Seachtain na nInnealtoirí: Fíorú Aislingí
Feabhra 15, 2013
Lá Teaghlaigh i gColáiste na Tríonóide
Satharn 2ú Márta, 2013
Fíorú Aislingí mana seachtain na nInnealtóirí i mbliana – toisc gurbh é sin a dhéanann innealtóirí – samhlaíocht a mheascadh le eolaíocht agus iarracht a dhéanamh domhan níos fearr a thógáil.
Sprioc Seachtain na nInnealtóirí deis a thabhairt do dhaoine óga an méid a dhéanann innealtóirí a chlos agus a fheiceáil ó na hinnealtóirí féin.
Tabharfaidh an ócáid seo deis duit gléas leictreach a thógáil tú féin san Makeshop; foghlaim conas is féidir guth a thabhairt do ríomhaire is dtreo is go mbeidh Gaeilge aige, agus triail a bhaint as é a chuir ag caint; fáil amach conas a thomhaiseann innealtóirí an talamh chun bóthar nó foirgneamh a leagan amach; conas fómhair fuinnimh a bhaint ón ngaoth – agus na heachtraí sa Mhata a thug na huirlis dúinn chun na haislingí seo a chuir i gcrích.
Eagraithe ag Comhluadar i bpáirt le Oifig na Gaeilge, Coláiste na Tríonóide, agus An Roth, Cumann na nInnealtóirí. Tá an imeacht seo dírithe ar an aoisghrúpa 8 – 15.
Sonraí féach: http://aonghus.blogspot.com/2013/02/seachtain-na-ninnealtoiri-fioru-aislingi.html
Chun áit a chuir in áirithint gabh i dteagmháil le:
Nicole Ní Cheallaigh
Comhluadar
imeacht@comhluadar.ie
(01) 4789191
Is gá do thuismitheoir a bheith i bhfochair na daoine óga.
Aonghus Ó hAlmhain
087 954 35 50
€15,000 ar fáil do thionscnaimh pobail Gaeilge
Feabhra 15, 2013
Tá sé fógartha ag Rith Teo inniu go bhfuil ciste de €15,000 a chur ar fáil ag an chomhlacht do ghrúpaí pobail nó coistí atá ag cur tionscnaimh Ghaeilge chun cinn.
Ba fhéile náisiúnta a bhí i Rith 2012 a mheall 27,000 le páirt a ghlacadh in ollrith sealaíochta a bhí ar siúl ón 8-17 Márta 2012 thar chúrsa 700km, ó Gaoth Dóbhair go Inis Mór, Árann. Tá an maoiniú seo, atá bunaithe ar bhrabús ó Rith 2012, a chur ar fáil do na pobail a ghlac páirt i Rith 2012 ó cheann ceann na tíre.
Chuir Cathaoirleach Ciste Rith, Lorcán Mac Gabhann in iúl gurb é seo an chéad uair gur éirigh le Rith Teo scéim deontais a fhógairt agus go bhfuil sé dóchasach go gcuirfidh Rith 2014 go mór le luach na scéime amach anseo
Chuir an tUas Mhic Gabhann in iúl “Is cúis áthais do Choiste Rith go bhfuil muid in ann €15,000 a chuir ar fáil don phobal le tacú le h imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí Gaeilge a eagrú. Fáilteofar roimh iarratais i nGaeilge do thionscnaimh atá teangalárnaithe, ach go háirithe ó ghrúpaí ar bheagán maoinithe.”
Tá tuilleadh eolais agus foirmeacha iarratais ar fáil ar www.rith.ie/deontas agus caithfidh iarratais a bheith istigh roimh 24 Márta 2013.
Fás teoranta seachas gluaiseacht ag an ghaelscolaíochta ó Thuaidh?
Feabhra 15, 2013
Tá sé ráite ag Seamus Mac Seáin, duine de lucht Bhóthar Seoighe a bhunaigh an chéad bhunscoil lánGhaeilge ó Thuaidh in 1971 nach bhfuil ag éirí le Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) gníomhú de réir na n-achmhainní a bhronn an rialtas uirthi agus gur cheart go mbeadh “i bhfad níos mó scoileanna bunaithe faoin am seo.”
Dar leis an ghníomhaire teanga clúiteach Mac Seáin, d’éirigh i bhfad níos fearr le hiarrachtaí Ghaeloiliúint, grúpa neamhspleách oideachais, thar thréimhse deich mbliana sna 90í ná mar a d’éirigh le CnaG ó shin.
Tharraing Mac Seáin aird ar na 15 bhunscoil agus na cúig aonad a bhunaigh Gaeloiliúint ó 1991-2000 agus é seo déanta “ar i bhfad níos lú acmhainní.” Tháinig CnaG chun cinn mar thoradh ar Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta, le comhordú a dhéanamh ar an Ghaelscolaíocht sna Sé Chontae, cúram a bhí ag Gaeloiliúint go dtí sin.
“Cé go bhfuil a thrí oiread daoine ag obair le Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, ní dheachaigh siad i bhfeidhm ar an ghaelscolaíocht mar a bheinn ag súil.
“Is de bharr easpa monatóireachta agus iniúchta nár baineadh amach na cuspóirí a bhí de dhualgas orthu a bhaint amach i mo thuairim-se. Tá fócas nua atá de dhíth ar CnaG bunaithe ar fhorbairt scoileanna nua,” ar seisean.
“Bhí mé ariamh den bharúil go gcaithfeadh 60 bunscoil ar a laghad a bheith sna Sé Chontae le go mbeadh an meas criticiúil againn leis an Ghaelscolaíocht a dhéanamh buan. Tá sé ag baint i bhfad barraíocht ama an meas criticiúil sin a bhaint amach,” a dúirt Mac Seáin.
De réir figiúirí CnaG, tá 3, 393 páiste cláraithe in 28 bunscoil lánGhaeilge agus seacht n-aonad Gaeilge (atá ag feidhmiú taobh istigh de bhunscoileanna Béarla), sna Sé Chontae faoi láthair.
Tá ardú 1,081 tagtha ar líon na ndaltaí atá ag freastal ar bhunscoileanna lánGhaeilge agus ardú 358 ar líon na ndaltaí atá ag freastal ar ‘aonaid’ Ghaeilge ag leibhéal bunscoile le deich mbliana anuas.
Maíonn an Dr. Gabrielle Nic Uidhir, bunaitheoir Ghaeloiliúint, atá anois ina léachtóir sa choláiste oiliúna, Coláiste Mhuire, go bhfuil forbairt straitéiseach na Comhairle ag dul i bhfeidhm ar bhealach leanúnach ar an ghaeloideachas ó Thuaidh.
“Ní féidir a bheith ag súil leis an bhorradh céanna is a chonaic muid ag an tús. Tá níos mó teaghlach ag roghnú na gaelscolaíochta agus tá daoine ag tacú leis an scoileanna atá ann,” ar sí.
Dar le Nic Uidhir, tá gaelscoileanna ag leathnú amach ó na cathracha chuig na ceantracha tuaithe le roinnt blianta anuas agus tá ‘fás teoranta ach leanúnach’ ar an ghaeloideachas sna Sé Chontae.
I ráiteas a chuir Micheál Ó Duibh, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, chuig Gaelscéal, dúirt sé go bhfuil an “mórfhás faoi ghaelscoileanna a tharla ar feadh na 80í agus 90í ag leanúint ar aghaidh sna 2010í” agus go bhfuil CnaG ag obair chun 88 gaelscoil (idir leibhéal naíscoile, bunscoile agus iarbhunscoile) a bheith bunaithe faoi 2020, má leanann an fás.
“Tá Comhairle na Gaelscolaíocht ag obair chuige go mbeidh áit mar is ceart ag an Ghaelscolaíocht ar bhord stiúrtha ÚSO agus ag féachaint chuige go mbeidh struchtúr cuí ann san údarás úr le riar mar is ceart a dhéanamh ar earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta, ar phleanáil ceantair agus ar fhorbairt na hiarbhunscolaíochta chomh maith.”
Dar le Janet Muller, Príomhfheidhmeannach de chuid Phobal, scáth eagras Gaeilge ó Thuaidh, a bhí ar bhord Chomhairle na Gaelscolaíochta “cruthaíonn na figiúirí go bhfuil fás ar an Ghaelscolaíocht, cinnte, ach, go dtaispeánann siad cé chomh fadálach is atá luas an fháis le deich mbliana anuas, agus cé chomh teoranta is atá na féidearthachtaí aistrithe ó leibhéal na bunscolaíochta go leibhéal na hiarbhunscolaíochta.”
Creideann Muller go caithfidh an Roinn Oideachais amharc go cúramach anois ar na bealaí a comhlíonann sí a cuid dualgas a leagadh síos i gComhaontú Aoine an Chéasta maidir leis an Ghaelscolaíocht ‘a spreagadh agus a éascú’.
Measann Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh, as an eagraíocht Forbairt Feirste go bhfuil forbairt agus inmharthanacht na Gaelscolaíochta ó Thuaidh go fóill ag brath ar dhíograiseoirí logánta a bhíonn ag obair ón bhun aníos.
‘Bíodh is go bhfuil stádas reachtúil ag an ghaeloideachas ó 2000 is léir go bhfuil géarghá le straitéis fheachtasaíochta éifeachtach le dul i ngleic leis an mhoilleadóireacht agus doicheall i dtaobh aitheantais, forbairt curaclam agus acmhainní oideachasúil go fóill,” a dúirt Mac Ionnrachtaigh.
Go dtí seo, tá meánscoil lán-Ghaeilge amháin agus ceithre shruth meánscoile ó Thuaidh. Beidh anailís i nGaelscéal ar fhás na gaelscolaíochta ag leibhéal meánscoile an tseachtain seo chugainn.
www.gaelsceal.ie
Mayor praises Dungannon for minding its (Irish) language
Feabhra 15, 2013
DUNGANNON Mayor Phelim Gildernew has paid tribute to the impassioned work of teachers, the voluntary sector, and Irish language officers in making the local district one of the most proficient in Irish speaking in Northern Ireland.
The native language is in such fine fettle that Dungannon district now boasts the second highest proportion of Irish speakers in Northern Ireland. Almost one in five local people claim to speak some Irish (18 percent), second only to the Newry and Mourne District at 20%. Dungannon’s Irish Language Officer Seamus Kilpatrick said the extent of the language renaissance was due to the school system.
“While Gaelscoileanna have recently been to the fore in raising awareness of the educational advantages of second language acquisition at an early age, there has been a long tradition in the Dungannon area of Irish language promotion at secondary education level and of voluntary work in the community.
“That a relatively high percentage of people in the Dungannon district (6.7%) can speak, read and write the language suggests that levels of fluency in the language remain high after students have completed their formal education.
“However, that a similar percentage (6.59%) were returned as having an understanding of the language but not to the extent of speaking it may be a tribute to the impact of the Irish language media in maintaining a profile for the language when schooldays have finished.”
Celebrations are planned to highlight Dungannon’s rich Irish language traditions during this year’s St Patrick’s Festival. Mr Kilpatrick said: “The role of the voluntary sector will be celebrated during Seachtain na Gaeilge, around the St Patrick’s Day festival with a celebration of the part that local branches of the Gaelic League have played in encouraging children to develop an interest in the language; providing classes, giving scholarships to go to the Gaeltacht and establishing Irish language youth clubs.
“A similar support network for adults was provided over the years by the voluntary sector as represented by Comhaltas Uladh and the seed for a range of activities – music, drama and dancing – was planted to give opportunities to use the language outside of the classroom and encouraging its use as a community language and not just as a school subject.
“The recognition achieved for the language in the Good Friday and St Andrew’s Agreements has meant that its status has changed at official level in Ireland, the UK and in the EU. Increasing numbers are declaring Irish as the language of choice for their homes.
“These percentages are not yet at the same level as those for the 1911 census, when the language could be seen to enjoy an unbroken presence back to the time of St Patrick and beyond. But the number is rising. This new bilingualism is yet another indicator that the monolingual household is no longer the norm in 21st century Europe.
Mayor Councillor Phelim Gildernew said: “As a Council we are committed to the promotion of both the Irish Language and Ulster Scots.
“To this end in 2007 with neighbouring Cookstown we appointed an Officer to drive the initiative forward.
“During these six years the development of the Irish language has grown from strength to strength throughout the Borough and I am delighted that this is reflected in the census statistics with Dungannon being placed third for fluency and knowledge of the Irish language.
“I am delighted with these statistics which pay tribute to the schools and organisations who strive to keep the Irish language alive and relevant to up and coming generations.”
www.tyronetimes.co.uk
Learn about Irish language and Ulster drums
Feabhra 15, 2013
THE Community Relations Forum is inviting people to come along to a Shared Cultural Heritage Evening later this month.
The event, entitled ‘The hidden History of Protestants and the Irish Language’, will take place at the Barron Hall, Glengormley on Thursday, February 28 between 7pm and 9pm.
Guest speaker on the night will be Linda Ervine, wife of the former PUP leader, Brian Ervine and sister-in-law of the late David Ervine.
Linda’s interest in the Irish language began when she discovered from censuses that not only did some of her own ancestors speak Irish, but that it was also widely spoken in Protestant areas of Belfast and indeed Newtownabbey. Linda is currently taking a sabbatical from her teaching job to be the Irish Language Development Officer at East Belfast Mission.
Meanwhile, the Community Relations Forum is offering people the opportunity to take part in a six-week course on Traditional Ulster Drums. It will take place at the Barron Hall, Antrim Road later this year, on a date yet to be confirmed.
The course will be delivered by the renowned Willie Drennan, a traditional musician, storyteller, poet and writer who draws much of his material from the Ulster Scots cultural traditions of his native Co Antrim. The programme will include demonstrations of various drumming techniques, guest speakers, a visit to a local drum maker’s workshop, and a final evening performance and course celebration event.
Anyone who would like to attend the cultural heritage evening, or take part in the drumming course, should register their interest by telephoning Conor Maxwell on 9084 9314 or by emailing conor_crf@hotmail.com
www.newtownabbeytoday.co.uk
Ceardlanna Saor in Aisce do Scríbhneoirí i mBéal Feirste agus Inis Oírr
Feabhra 15, 2013
Ceardlann do Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge á heagrú ag Cló Iar-Chonnacht i gcomhar le Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr, Árainn, Co na Gaillimhe.
Dáta: Dé Sathairn, 9 Márta 2013
Ionad: Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr, Árainn, Co na Gaillimhe.
Stiúrthóirí na Ceardlainne: Micheál Ó Conghaile agus Jackie Mac Donncha
Beidh an cheardlann seo dírithe ar scríbhneoirí Gaeilge den uile chineál, scríbhneoirí a bhfuil leabhair foilsithe acu cheana agus scríbhneoirí óga/nua nach bhfuil aon leabhar foilsithe fós acu ach a léiríonn cumas scríbhneoireachta.
Tugtar cuireadh do scríbhneoirí ar mhaith leo a bheith páirteach sa cheardlann sampla dá saothar: gearrscéal, cúig nó sé de dhánta nó mír ghearr as úrscéal (úrscéalta do dhéagóirí san áireamh) a sheoladh chuig Eagarthóir Cúnta CIC, Áine Ní Cholchúin ag an seoladh thíos ROIMH an 1 Márta 2013.
Roghnófar na saothair is feiliúnaí agus déanfar iad a phlé agus a mheas ag an gceardlann. Seolfar saothar gach scríbhneora chuig gach iarrthóir (a bheidh ag freastal ar an gceardlann) roimh ré ionas go mbeidh deis acu iad a léamh. Tríd an modh oibre seo beidh na hiarrthóirí ar fad in ann páirt ghníomhach a ghlacadh sa cheardlann, agus foghlaim ó laigí agus ó bhuanna shaothar a chéile. Beidh áit do dheichniúr ar an gceardlann. Níl aon táille i gceist don cheardlann seo ach beidh iarrthóirí freagrach as a gcuid costas taistil féin agus lóistín sa chás go mbeadh a leithéid i gceist.
Tuilleadh eolais:
Áine Ní Cholchúin nó Micheál Ó Conghaile
Cló Iar-Chonnacht
Indreabhán
Conamara
Co. na Gaillimhe.
Guthán: (091) 593307 Facs: (091) 593362 Ríomhphost: aine@cic.ie
nó ó Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr, Árainn, Co na Gaillimhe.
Guthán: 099-75150 Ríomhphost: eolas@araseanna.ie
Tá an cheardlann seo á heagrú le tacaíocht ón gComhairle Ealaíon
Ceardlann do Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge á heagrú ag Cló Iar-Chonnacht i gcomhar le Scoil na Gaeilge agus an na Ceiltise, Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste.
Dáta: Dé Sathairn, 23 Márta 2013
Ionad: Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste.
Stiúrthóirí na Ceardlainne: Micheál Ó Conghaile agus Fionntán de Brún
Beidh an cheardlann seo dírithe ar scríbhneoirí Gaeilge den uile chineál, scríbhneoirí a bhfuil leabhair foilsithe acu cheana agus scríbhneoirí óga/nua nach bhfuil aon leabhar foilsithe fós acu ach a léiríonn cumas scríbhneoireachta.
Tugtar cuireadh do scríbhneoirí ar mhaith leo a bheith páirteach sa cheardlann sampla dá saothar: gearrscéal, cúig nó sé de dhánta nó mír ghearr as úrscéal (úrscéalta do dhéagóirí san áireamh) a sheoladh chuig Eagarthóir Cúnta CIC, Áine Ní Cholchúin ag an seoladh thíos ROIMH an 14 Márta 2013.
Roghnófar na saothair is feiliúnaí agus déanfar iad a phlé agus a mheas ag an gceardlann. Seolfar saothar gach scríbhneora chuig gach iarrthóir (a bheidh ag freastal ar an gceardlann) roimh ré ionas go mbeidh deis acu iad a léamh. Tríd an modh oibre seo beidh na hiarrthóirí ar fad in ann páirt ghníomhach a ghlacadh sa cheardlann, agus foghlaim ó laigí agus ó bhuanna shaothar a chéile. Beidh áit do dheichniúr ar an gceardlann. Níl aon táille i gceist don cheardlann seo ach beidh iarrthóirí freagrach as a gcuid costas taistil féin agus lóistín sa chás go mbeadh a leithéid i gceist.
Tuilleadh eolais:
Áine Ní Cholchúin nó Micheál Ó Conghaile
Cló Iar-Chonnacht
Indreabhán
Conamara
Co. na Gaillimhe
Guthán: (091) 593307 Facs: (091) 593362 Ríomhphost: aine@cic.ie
Tá an cheardlann seo á heagrú le tacaíocht ón gComhairle Ealaíon
Comórtas Póstaer na nÓg ag an Irish Cancer Society
Feabhra 14, 2013
Tá comórtas Póstaer na nÓg ar siúl ar son Seachtain na hEorpa in aghaidh Ailse agus iarrtar ar scoileanna páirt a ghlacadh ann. Tá an comórtas oscailte dhaoine óga aois 10-18 agus sé an dáta deiridh ná 19 Aibreán. Leis an gcomórtas seo, spreagtar daoine óga chun foghlaim conas is féidir ailse a sheachaint tré póstaeir a chruthú a bhéas in ann cumarsáid a dhéanamh le daoine óga eile maidir leis na rudaí is féidir a leat a dhéanamh anois chun ailse a sheachaint níos deireanaí sa saol.
Le haghaidh na sonraí ar fad don chomórtas, téigh go http://www.europeancancerleagues.org/ewac/european-week-against-cancer-2013.html nó is féidir cuairt a thabhairt ar an leathanach Facebook www.facebook.com/EclYouthCompetition
Irish Cancer Society
+ 353 1 2310 500 | + 353 1 2310 555
hptemp@irishcancer.ie
http://www.cancer.ie
Hunger games filmed as Gaeilge in Naas
Feabhra 14, 2013
HOLLYWOOD may be beckoning for the Gaelscoil Nás na Ríogh sixth class pupils whose’ Irish version of the The Hunger Games has proved an online hit.
Featured on YouTube, thejournal.ie, the 98fm website, and RTE’s News Today, the half hour mini movie was acted out by the students and filmed by their teacher, Lára Ní Dhonnchú. So far, Cluichí an Ocrais has notched up 1,386 views on YouTube.
The 23 pupils took three-and-a-half weeks to shoot the film, which was based on Suzanne Collins’s popular novel, The Hunger Games.
Split into groups, they translated the scenes, wrote the script, added the music and designed various sets. It was then shot in the school’s environs with a smart phone.
One of the stars of the production, Lillie Ni Ghallachoir appeared with her fellow students on RTE’s News Today last week. She said her classmates are delighted with the reaction their film is getting.
“We never expected that it could be so popular,” she said.
She told how it was screened at Christmas for the parents who were also very impressed. Lillie played Prim in the film and her time spent in Brian Brady’s performance classes proved valuable in playing the role. When asked if it was hard to act the whole thing out in Irish, she explained it was no problem because it came naturally to the Gaelscoil pupils. “It was really fun to do,” she added.
www.leinsterleader.ie
School board sacked for enrolling extra class without approval
Feabhra 13, 2013
A primary school board has been sacked by its patron for enrolling an extra infant class last September without approval.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn approved the dissolution by An Foras Pátrúnachta of the board of management at Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil in Glanmire, Co Cork, before Christmas. The all-Irish schools’ patron body has put two managers in place in the meantime but plans are being made to put a new board in place shortly.
The school moved from the rugby club where it first opened in 2006 to a former hotel building in Dunkettle 2011. But a board decision early last year to take in three infant classes in September was made without the patron’s approval.
It did not have sanction either from the Department of Education to change from a previous intake of two junior infant classes to three, as it would not need to pay an additional teacher if the extra 20 to 30 children were enrolled instead across other schools in the area. The department confirmed it had discussions last year with the school, which now has around 300 pupils up to fifth class.
“The school were advised that, based on the department’s analysis of pupil numbers in the Riverstown/Glanmire catchment area, there was sufficient school accommodation capacity available to cater for pupil place demand. In that regard, the school authority accepted that the long-term size of the school should remain at 16 classes,” a spokesperson told the Irish Examiner.
The possibility of appeals over refusal to enrol meant the three classes were allowed enrol last autumn, but the patron body asked each board member in July for an explanation of their role.
It is understood Mr Quinn approved the board’s dissolution in November following a request from An Foras, under a section of the 1998 Education Act that can be used where a patron believes a board is not discharging its functions effectively. An Foras Pátrúnachta did not comment on the situation when contacted by the Irish Examiner yesterday.
Aside from the enrolment issue, there were longer-running tensions between the board and patron body over the teaching of religion. An Foras said its multi-denominational ethos means no faith-specific religion should be taught during school hours, but children of different faiths were being taught separately for the first 20 minutes of each day since the school opened in 2006.
The patron called a halt to this in late 2011, despite the arguments of the board and many staff and parents that the established practice should be allowed continue.
“We told the Foras last year we wanted things to stay the same. It was operating fine until this happened out of the blue at the end of 2011,” said one parent who asked not to be named.
The teaching of denominational religion during school hours is now forbidden, but Catholic and Humanist teaching is available before or after school for parents who want it for their children.
www.irishexaminer.com
