Girls continue to outperform boys in Junior Cert
Meán Fómhair 13, 2013
The results repeat traditional trends and confirm the different educational experiences of male and female students.
In post-primary education, girls are more inclined to study at higher level in key subjects and are also more likely to get top grades.
Females accounted for 49pc of the 59,823 Junior Cert candidates this year, according to a gender breakdown by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
However, they made up 58pc of those taking higher level Irish, 53pc of those taking higher level English, 50pc of those taking higher level maths and more than 50pc of higher level candidates in French, German Spanish, Italian, arts/craft/ design, business studies, music, home economics and religious education.
Childhood
The gender gap is also evident in the results achieved, with girls more likely to notch up ‘ honours’ A, B or C grades.
Girls picked up more As in all higher level papers except maths, Latin and metalwork.
Across the spectrum of the ‘ honours’ ABC grades, the girls went on to overtake the boys in maths and it was only in Latin and metalwork that the boys did better.
The roots of the differences between the sexes in academic engagement goes back to much earlier in their childhood, as illustrated in a recent report based on data gathered in the Growing Up in Ireland study.
The study findings, analysed by Denise Frawley, Selina McCoy and Maeve Thornton of the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI) showed how nine-year-old girls and boys felt differently about school.
They found that girls had slightly higher reading test scores than boys, but boys scored higher in maths, especially at the top end.
This year, 13pc of boys scored an A in higher level maths, compared with 11pc of girls.
Boys are significantly less likely than girls to look forward to school, to like school and to like their teacher, the study also showed.
Boys have higher levels of school absenteeism and are less likely than girls to complete their homework on a regular basis. However, while they reported that gender was a significant predictor of school engagement, they said other factors, such as social background, were crucial in order to distinguish which types of boys and girls were most likely to be disengaged from school.
Kathleen Lynch, Professor of Equality Studies at University College Dublin (UCD), said the real issue in educational inequality was social class, not gender. She said that she had been pressing the Department of Education for years for data relating to matters such as social background and school attendance.
www.independent.ie
Girls take study honours for 3 core Junior Cert subjects
Meán Fómhair 13, 2013
Girls are still far more likely than boys to study the three core school subjects to higher level for Junior Certificate.
Figures released by the State Examinations Commission also reveal that girls do better in most of the 26 subjects, with more getting As and honours grades A, B or C) in the vast majority.
Significant improvements in uptake of Irish and maths to higher level were evident again in this week’s results, largely attributed to curricular and other reforms.
But far more female students still chose the tougher exam than boys, with one of the biggest variations being at Junior Cert Irish.
In a school with 50 girls and 50 boys who sat the exams in June, for example, 30 girls but only 22 or 23 boys would have done honours Irish.
Boys still trail girls in doing higher level maths, although half of the 30,155 male students doing the subject sat the higher level in June — just below the 53% of females. Almost equal proportions (41% of girls and 42% of boys) did ordinary level maths, and slightly more boys (7.5%) than girls (6%) sat foundation level papers.
In English, almost 79% of girls but only 68% of boys sitting the higher level papers this year. This meant double the proportions of boys compared to girls taking English at ordinary (29% compared to 14%) and foundation levels (3% as against 1.5%).
The trends continue among other popular languages, with four girls doing higher level French for each one sitting ordinary level, compared to a 3:1 ratio among male students.
For Junior Cert German, studied by just over 10,000, the numbers are very similar, although very slightly more balanced, with 79% of girls and 71% of boys doing higher level.
Of 22 subjects in which figures are provided for higher level, maths, Latin and metalwork were the only ones in which more boys got As, while more boys than girls got honours in just Latin and metalwork.
www.irishexaminer.com
Cúnamh don bhéal triail
Meán Fómhair 12, 2013
Tá Conradh na Gaeilge ag reáchtáil cúrsa do mhic léinn atá ag déanamh scrúdú na hArdteistiméireachta agus atá ag iarraidh cur lena gcumas labhartha Gaeilge
Tá an cúrsa seo curtha le chéile de bharr éileamh ó thuismitheoirí agus beidh sé ag díriú ar gach gné den scrúdú béal. Ar ndóigh tá tábhacht bhreise leis an scrúdú seo anois os rud é go bhfuil 40% de na marcanna iomlán sa scrúdú ag dul don scrúdú béal.
Beidh cúrsa Chonradh na Gaeilge ar siúl gach tráthnóna Aoine in Áras na nGael, 45 Sr. Doiminic, ag tosú ar an 27 Meán Fómhair, ar feadh tréimhse 10 seachtain. Cuirfear béim faoi leith i gcothú muinín na mic léinn sa teanga agus cuirfear an teanga os a gcomhar mar ghnáth theanga cumarsáide.
Bainfear leas as réimse leathan uirlisí múinteoireachta agus cinnteofar freisin go mbeidh na mic léinn ag foghlaim faoi gach gné den teanga.
Is féidir clárú don chúrsa ar www.arasnangael.ie agus is féidir eolas a fháil ach glaoch a chur ar 091 567824 nó conradh@bradan.iol.ie.
www.advertiser.ie/galway
New education body stalled: Pledge for single authority by end of year won’t be met
Meán Fómhair 12, 2013
A single education body will not meet a Programme for Government commitment to be up and running by the end of the year, the chairman of the Education Committee has warned.
The troubled Education and Skills Authority (ESA) – which had run up a bill of more than £12m by the start of this year – remains stalled by political deadlock.
Talks between Sinn Fein and DUP continue over the shape of the super education authority, which will replace Northern Ireland’s current five education and library boards, as well as the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).
At a meeting of the Assembly’s Education Committee yesterday, John McGrath, the Department of Education’s Deputy Secretary, pointed to “slippage” in the ESA timescale.
“Clearly there will be slippage in the 2013 timescale for ESA,” he told the Committee.
The committee’s chairman, North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey, has said that the proposed body will fall far short of its December 31 target for implementation, set out in the Programme for Government.
The PfG set out a commitment to “make the Education and Skills Authority operational in 2013”.
However, political agreement on the role and powers of the single educational authority appears to be some way off.
The DUP is currently considering a paper from Sinn Fein, which sets out the party’s position on a number of issues which are still stumbling blocks to ESA’s establishment.
The issues still causing political division include:
•Independence of the inspectorate, which inspects standards in schools.
•Who controls the controlled sector, which consists of Northern Ireland’s state schools.
•Issues over Irish medium schools.
•Issues over shared education.
“That’s only some of the issues,” Mr Storey told the Belfast Telegraph yesterday.
“No, ESA will not be up and running by December. ESA will only happen whenever it’s right – whenever there’s an ESA that’s workable and then, and only then, will it come into existence.”
He added: “There’s still issues in relation to the controlled sector and we are still working through the paper sent to us by Sinn Fein over the summer.
“It will take a long period of time to get through that paper and there will be no knee-jerk reaction.”
No one from the Department of Education was available for comment last night.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Teacher concern at abolition of Junior Cert
Meán Fómhair 12, 2013
‘We believe every student is entitled to a fair, impartial and transparent State cert’
Junior Cert exam to be replaced by school assessments on phased basis
The president of Ireland’s main second-level teachers’ union says she was “deeply concerned” about the decision by the Minister for Education to abolish the Junior Cert.
In a message of congratulations to Junior Cert students, ASTI president Sally Maguire criticised plans by Ruairí Quinn which mean that from 2014 students will no longer sit the exam.
“Under the Minister’s proposals young people wh o spend five or six years participating in second-level education will not experience State certificate examinations until they reach Leaving Certificate,” Ms Maguire said.
She said the Junior Cert exam was invaluable Leaving Cert preparation and enabled students, parents and teachers to gauge aptitude prior to maki n g choices about the Leaving Cert.
Ms Maguire also expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the school-administered exams, graded by students’ own teachers, set to replace the State exam.
“We believe that every student is entitled to a fair, impartial and transparent State certificate to record their achievement at junior cycle. A school certificate based on grades awarded by students ’ own teachers does not have t he same status or validity as an independent State certificate.”
This year’s Junior Cert results will be one of the last under the current model, in place since 1991.
The reforms announced by Minister Quinn in October 2012 will be introduced on a phased basis from 2014.
The new English curriculum will be the first to be introduced to first years in 2014, followed by Irish, science and business studies for first years in 2015.
Under the reforms, the Junior Cert exam will be replaced by school-based assessment, with an emphasis on the quality of the students’ learning experience. Ms Maguire urged students celebrating their results to act responsibly. Higher level maths The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union said it was happy with the steady rise in the number of Junior Cert students taking higher level maths. It appealed to students “to be responsible and mindful to others in their celebrations”.
Minister of St at e f or Research Sean Sherlock said the increasing number of students taking higher level maths was welcome. More students also taking science at higher level was “an important step to building Ireland’s knowledge economy”.
www.irishtimes.com
Bliain nua sa Naíonra i gCeatharlach
Meán Fómhair 11, 2013
Cuireadh tús le bliain nua i Naíonra Cheatharlach an tseachtain seo caite agus nach sona sásta atá na páistí óga ann. Bhí gach rud in ord agus in eagar dóibh ag na stiúrthóirí Lorraine Mhic Eoin agus Madeleine Seá.
‘Séard atá i gceist le Naíonra ná grúpa páistí réamhscoile a thagann le chéile go rialta trí Ghaeilge i dtimpeallacht taitneamhach faoi chúram stiúrthóirí cáilithe. Cuireann foireann an Naíonra gach deis ar fáil chun forbairt iomlán an pháiste a chur i gcrích. Modh an tsúgartha an cur chuige a leantar mar is é seo an modh foghlama is nádúrtha do pháistí den aois áirithe seo. Cuirtear rogha leathan d’imeachtaí agus de ghníomhaíochtaí éagsúla a oireann do pháistí idir aois a trí agus a cuig ar fáil go proifisiúnta agus go snasta dóibh maidin i ndiaidh maidine sa Naíonra.
Tá Naíonra Cheatharlach ag cur seirbhís, cúram agus oideachas réamhscoile ar fáil i gCheatharlach le breis is tríocha bliain. I seomra breá in Ionad Snámha, Graig Chuilinn a thagann an grúpa le chéile gach maidin ó 9.30-12.30. Tá an Naíonra rannpháirteach sa Bhliain Réamhscoile saor in aisce faoin Scéim um Chúram agus Oideachas Luath-Óige (ECCE). Faoin scéim seo is féidir le gach leanbh leas a bhaint as an mbliain réamhscoile sula dtosaíonn siad ar an mbunscoil. Maireann an Bhliain Réamhscoile Saor thar 38 seachtain le soláthar de 3 uair an chloig in aghaidh an lae ar feadh cúig lá sa tseachtain. Is féidir gach eolas a fháil ó Lorraine ag 085/7377041 nó ó Glór Cheatharlach ag 059/9158105.
www.carlow-nationalist.ie
Ciorcail Chomhrá do mhicléinn i gCeatharlach
Meán Fómhair 11, 2013
Tá an-áthas ar Glór Cheatharlach a fhógairt go n-eagrófar Ciorcail Chomhrá Iarscoile do mhicléinn an Teastais Shóisearaigh agus na hArdteistiméireachta i gCeatharlach an fómhar seo.
Díreoidh na ciorcail orthu siúd atá ag lorg deiseanna breise chun Gaeilge a labhairt go neamhfhoirmiúil lasmuigh den seomra ranga. Ceaptar go gcuirfidh daltaí an-fháilte roimh gach deis agus iad ag iarraidh barr feabhais a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge go háirithe agus méadú mór go daichead fán gcéad de mharcanna an ábhair i scrúdú na hardteistiméireachta ag dul don bhéaltriail. Beidh na Ciorcail Chomhrá ar siúl ó 4.30-5.30i.n. in Ionad Phobal New Oak. Gach Máirt ag tosú ar an 24ú Meán Fómhair a thiocfaidh daltaí i mbliain 1-3 le chéile agus beidh fáilte roimh mhicléinn i mbliain 4-6 gach Céadaoin ón 25ú Meán Fómhair ar aghaidh. ‘Sé táille iomlán an chúrsa don téarma go dtí an Nollaig ná €20. Ní foláir áiteanna a chur in áirithe gan mhoill agus tabharfar tús áite don chéad 20 iarratas i ngach ciorcal. Chun tuilleadh eolais agus clárú is féidir dul i dteagmháil le Glór Cheatharlach, Sráid an Choláiste, Ceatharlach. Teil 059 9158105, 085 1340047 nó seol rphost chuig eolas@glorcheatharlach.ie
www.carlow-nationalist.ie
Deireadh ré don nuachtán Foinse
Meán Fómhair 11, 2013
Tá fógartha ag Móinéar Teo. go bhfuil deireadh curtha leis an leagan clóite den nuachtán seachtainiúil agus nach mbeidh Foinse ar fáil ar sheilfeanna do shiopa áitiúil ag deireadh na míosa mar a bhí beartaithe go dtí seo.
Bunaíodh Foinse i 1996, agus cuireadh nuachtáin náisiúnta Gaeilge ar fáil go seachtainiúil go dtí samhradh 2009 le maoiniú ó Fhoras na Gaeilge. Nuair a theip ar an maoiniú seo, rinneadh athsheoladh ar Foinse i fómhair na bliana 2009, le leagan amach úr agus modh seachadta nua agus é ar fáil mar fhorlíonadh san Irish Independent.
Go dtí le déanaí, cuireadh an nuachtán ar fáil gach Céadaoin, agus bhí an-tóir air, go háirithe i measc scoileanna na tíre agus i measc fhoghlaimeoirí na teanga.
Sa bhreis ar an nuachtán seachtainiúil, tá roinnt mhaith tionscadal eile ar líne curtha ar bun ag Móinéar Teo. le blianta beaga anuas, ina measc suíomh eolais www.foinse ie agus blag gramadaí. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá curtha go mór ag foireann Foinse le húsáid na Gaeilge sna meáin shóisialta agus iad an-ghníomhach ar Facebook, YouTube agus Twitter.
Cé nach mbeidh leagan clóite den nuachtán ar fáil a thuilleadh, beidh ábhar oideachasúil, a bhaineann le Foinse Óg agus Foinse sa Rang, fós le fáil ar www.foinse.ie.
Ag tús na bliana seo, d’fhógair Foras na Gaeilge go raibh cinneadh glactha acu chun deireadh a chur le conradh an nuachtáin seachtainiúil ‘Gaelscéal’ roimh dheireadh oifigiúil thréimhse an chonartha.
Is í an chúis a thug Foras na Gaeilge leis an ngearradh seo ag an am ná nach raibh ag éirí leis nuachtán ó thaobh díolacháin de. Tugadh figiúr de 1,300/1,400 cóip in aghaidh na seachtaine mar líon iomlán an díolacháin sna siopaí.
I ráiteas a d’eisigh Foras na Gaeilge i mí Feabhra na bliana seo, cuireadh in iúl go “Léiríonn cinneadh bhord Fhoras na Gaeilge, agus na cúiseanna a bhain leis, nach é an fhormáid chlóite an bealach is oiriúnaí le seirbhís nuachta a sholáthar do phobal léitheoireachta na Gaeilge”.
Fágtar anois nach bhfuil aon nuachtán clóite Gaeilge ar fáil chun freastal ar riachtanais phobal na Gaeilge. Chuaigh Foras na Gaeilge i mbun taighde san earrach, agus reáchtáladh cruinnithe poiblí agus sraith d’fhócas grúpaí agus é i gceist go reáchtálfaí scéim úr go luath chun foilseachán úr a chur ar fáil in áit Gaelscéal. Níl aon toradh ar an taighde seo foilsithe go fóill.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Smarmore summer camp a great success
Meán Fómhair 10, 2013
Now in its second year, Gael Champa took place at Smarmore Castle just a few miles from Ardee in the middle of August.
“We had 24 children from the ages of 5- 13 who attended and participated in the Irish language summer camp,” said Clodagh McClean, who has BSA in Irish. Clodagh and Kenny Rabbitt supervised and co-ordinated the camp, assisted by Éadaoin McClean, Aelish Lambert, Andrea Meade and Claire McGrory. “The idea behind this summer camp was to encourage children to welcome and enjoy the Irish language as a fun and funtional means of communication. As the week progressed, the children were speaking more and more Irish and their confidence grew as they practiced and experienced Irish as a practical language. “The week consisted of many activities for the children. From table quizes to treasure hunts and relay races to ‘Capture the Flag’. “Fun through Irish was always the prime concern.
“Throughout the course of the week, the children were divided into four teams: Eireann, Na Buaiteoirí, Club Chorcra and Daoine Gan Stóp, and could earn points for their teams by succeeding in the activities, team spirit, good sportsmanship and through their use of the Irish Language. Despite the close competition thorughout the week. It was Club Chorcra that finished in first place of the leaderboard at the end of the week. “By the end of the week, each child went home with prizes for their excellent use of Gaeilge throughout the week,” said Clodagh. Clodagh McClean, would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s camp a success, especially Smarmore Castle for their use of their grounds, to all of the people who helped out with the camp over the week and to all of the children who were an absolute pleasure to have for the week.
A special word of thanks goes out to all of the parents who encouraged their children throughout the camp to speak through Irish.Gael-Champa is a summer sports camp as Gaeilge, providing cultural, educational and sporting activities for children through the medium of Irish! Séan Óg Ó hAilpín launches Gael-Champa! The camp caters for children from English speaking schools as well as Gaelscoileanna. Activities include Gaelic football, hurling, rugby, volleyball, soccer, etc. If you would like more information about Gael Champa 2014, please contact Clodagh at clodagh.mcclean2@mail.dcu.ie
www.dundalkdemocrat.ie
Kildare Gaelscoil opens its doors
Meán Fómhair 6, 2013
THE new Gaelscoil in Kildare town began the first chapter of its life when it opened its doors last week.
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha Principal, Norma Ní Chonchúir, welcomed 13 junior infant pupils on Thursday August 29.
The school is to be temporarily based in the former vocational school building in Kildare town and is to move to a permanent building at a new educational campus at Magee Barracks.
In March 2012, the demand for Irish medium education in Kildare town was recognised by the Department of Education, and it was announced that a Gaelscoil under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta would be opened.
Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is a multidenominational Gaelscoil. The new school will start out with Junior Infants only this year but it is expected that it will grow rapidly.
Norma Ní Chonchúir, principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha is extremely proud of what the school community in Kildare town has achieved to date.
“The parents have given me great support,” said Ms Ní Chonchúir.
“They have decided on a lovely uniform and have designed the school crest. I am really looking forward to the year ahead.
“It is a great honour for me to be the principal of Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha.
“There is a great demand for education through Irish in the Kildare town area, and it is brilliant that this new school is opening to cater for that demand.”
Schools across the county reopened over the past week.
It was a big change for pupils of the former Scoil Bhride Naofa and De La Salle Manistreach schools in Kildare town, as the new amalgamated St. Brigid’s Primary school welcomed both boys and girls at the former convent school building.
www.leinsterleader.ie
