GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. welcomes increased capital expenditure on schools
December 6, 2007
Gaelscoileanna Teoranta has welcomed the government’s planned €95 million increase in capital expenditure on schools announced in the budget.
"53 per cent of Gaelscoileanna are operating with some measure of temporary accommodation," said Mícheál O’Broin, Chairman of Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, speaking in Dublin today. "The Minister has fought hard for education to be so well treated in the budget and we look forward to the improvement this will make for hundreds if not thousands of children and teachers."
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Further information:
Mícheál O’Broin
Gaelscoileanna Teoranta
087 9467700
Rob Hartnett,
Director – Hartnett McClure PR
086 3851955
rob@hmpr.ie
GAELSCOILEANNA WELCOME OIREACHTAS SUPPORT: Committee recognises clear need for more research before circular 0044/2007 is implemented
December 6, 2007
The campaign to save early total immersion stepped up a gear in Dáil Éireann today when a delegation from Gaelscoileanna Teoranta addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science.
"We were pleased with the opportunity to present our case. We stressed the need to undertake more research before we allow the policy of early total immersion which has worked so well for over 50 years to be swept aside by one departmental circular," said Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, Chief Executive of Gaelscoileanna Teo.
"All the research undertaken in Canada, Britain and around the world supports the benefits of early immersion, and we produced research today undertaken in Ireland which backs up the view that there are significant benefits for English as the majority language as well as Irish from at least one year of total immersion."
"The committee showed great understanding and support for our argument, backed up by the NCCA, INTO and many others that we must not implement the circular until we know more about why immersion education has worked so well in an Irish context."
"This campaign is about education and parental choice. Gaelscoileanna are open to all children and are of equal benefit to those of every racial, linguistic and national background, as well as those of all learning abilities, added Mícheál O’Broin, President of Gaelscoileanna."
"We are hopeful that the support we have received today from across the political divide, will encourage the Department to review the policy and withdraw the circular at least until such time as research is undertaken"
"Without change we run the risk of killing a wonderful education choice without ever knowing why it worked so well."
The circular will start to come into effect from January 2008 and will affect the current or future possibility of teaching through early immersion principles in almost 200 schools.
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Further Information:
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin Rob Hartnett
Chief Executive – Gaelscoileanna Teoranta Director – Hartnett McClure Public
086 8050335 Relations
086 3851955
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science
December 4, 2007
Representatives from Gaelscoileanna Teoranta and others who are supporting the campaign for Early Total Immersion will be presenting the case for the withdrawal of circular 0044/2007 to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Education and Science on Thursday, morning, December 6th
Date:
Thursday, December 6th, 2007
Time:
Presentation 09.30 am
Media statement after 11.00 am
Interviews from 1130 am to 1300 pm
Venue for interviews:
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
In attendance:
President of Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, Mícheál Ó Broin
Chief Executive of Gaelscoileanna Teoranta, Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin
Background:
The policy of early total immersion education as practised in Gaelscoileanna throughout Ireland is under threat from circular 0044/2007, issued by the Department of Education and Science. The circular proposes to introduce two and a half hours of English language teaching by no later that the second term of junior infants. This is in contrast to the four models of early total immersion model practiced in Gaelscoileanna throughout Ireland. The directive runs contrary to best international practice in the area of immersion education, and this campaign aims to see it’s withdrawal until such time as proper research can be undertaken in an Irish context.
To make arrangements for an interview either in person or over the phone, please call:
