Pupils ‘ignored’ in new Irish syllabus
March 25, 2010
Gaelscoileanna, the national co-ordinating body for schools teaching through the medium of Irish, is concerned that an amended Leaving Certificate syllabus for Irish published last week ignores the needs of pupils with a high standard of Irish. In a statement, the group say that “the substantial reduction in the literature course and the increased marks awarded for the oral exam will have a huge impact on the pupils’ standard of Irish. Ultimately, these changes will mean that pupils from Gaelcholáistí, or indeed capable pupils in English-medium schools will not be suitably challenged by the new Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus. A high standard of Irish in the Gaelcholáistí is necessary in order for students to tackle other subjects studied at Leaving Certificate level through the medium of Irish. Without the correct level of Irish, they would be forced to undertake other subjects through the medium of English”.
The group’s CEO, Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, said that they were “very unhappy” that a circular proposing “sweeping changes for Irish as a subject at Leaving Certificate level was published without consultation with partners and schools. We’re also dissatisfied with the lack of notice given to schools, making it more difficult for them to make the necessary preparations. There will be huge implications for schools and there is a danger that pupils will not be able to attain the high standard of Irish which is currently being achieved. This will result in a shortage of people with a high standard of Irish available to work in professions which demand this, for example, teaching. If the teaching of the language is not made sufficiently challenging, it won’t develop, in terms of literature, journalism etc. This would be disastrous for training colleges and for the future of the Irish language.”
The group want the new Minister for Education, Mary Coughlan, to guarantee an extra Irish subject at Honours Leaving Certificate level to tackle the challenges in written Irish. This, they believe, would provide pupils with a high standard of Irish and a chance to develop their language skills and a proper understanding of Irish literature.
The Irish Times has contacted the Department of Education about the statement from Gaelscoileanna. A spokeswoman from the Department said that they would reply as soon as possible. The response will be posted when it comes.
Pól Ó Muirí, Irish Times Blogs
Pupils with high standard of Irish ignored in new Irish syllabus
March 24, 2010
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is gravely concerned about the publication of an amended Leaving Certificate syllabus for Irish last week, a syllabus which ignores the needs of pupils with a high standard of Irish. The substantial reduction in the literature course and the increased marks awarded for the oral exam will have a huge impact on the pupils’ standard of Irish. Ultimately, these changes will mean that pupils from Gaelcholáistí, or indeed capable pupils in English-medium schools will not be suitably challenged by the new Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus. A high standard of Irish in the Gaelcholáistí is necessary in order for students to tackle other subjects studied at Leaving Certificate level through the medium of Irish. Without the correct level of Irish, they would be forced to undertake other subjects through the medium of English.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. demands that Minister Coughlan guarantee the availability of an extra Irish subject at Honours Leaving Certificate level, a subject to tackle the challenges in written Irish existing at this level. This subject would provide pupils with a high standard of Irish with a chance to develop their language skills and cultivate a proper understanding of Irish literary heritage. In the English syllabus, a huge emphasis is placed on literature, something which develops skills in pupils and adds greatly to their cultural understanding. The reduction of the literature course on the Irish syllabus raises questions about the perceived value of the language by comparison with the world language, English.
Coupled with the significant reduction of the literature course, the ‘history of Irish’ course has been completely wiped out. Although extra marks will be awarded for the oral Irish exam, it is not yet clear what extra challenge if any it will pose for pupils who already have a competent level of Irish. The criterion for marking this exam is also unclear.
Speaking about the changes, GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. CEO, Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, said “We’re very unhappy that the circular which proposes such sweeping changes for Irish as a subject at Leaving Certificate level was published without consultation with partners and schools. We’re also dissatisfied with the lack of notice given to schools, making it more difficult for them to make the necessary preparations. There will be huge implications for schools and there is a danger that pupils will not be able to attain the high standard of Irish which is currently being achieved. This will result in a shortage of people with a high standard of Irish available to work in professions which demand this, for example, teaching. If the teaching of the language is not made sufficiently challenging, it won’t develop, in terms of literature, journalism etc. This would be disastrous for training colleges and for the future of the Irish language.”
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national co-ordinating body for schools teaching through the medium of Irish. It helps parents and local groups to set up new schools and supports the established all-Irish schools. There are 169 primary schools and 38 secondary schools currently providing education through the medium of Irish.
Coláiste Ailigh celebrates a decade on
March 23, 2010
A decade on and Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny has been to the forefront in terms of academic achievements. And last Friday night, the town’s first Irish secondary school marked its tenth anniversary and those achievements with a dinner-dance in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
Around 300 patrons attended the function including students, past and present, staff, parents, Board of Management, and Donegal Vocational Educational Committee members.
They were there to herald a school which has gone from strength to strength under Principal Míchéal Ó Giobúin and is now regarded as one of the most outstanding educational establishments of its kind in the country.
The night coincided with the launch of a special booklet written by teacher Proínsaid Mac A’Bhaird and chronicling the school’s history. It’s a history that also came alive through an exhibition of photographs, organised by Bríd Ní Ghallchóir, Bláine Mulligan and Áine Ní Ghiobúin, depicting the faces and events from the past decade
Among the various speakers who addressed the dinner-dance, Principal Ó Giobúin spoke of his “pride and honour” at being involved in Coláiste Ailigh and highlighted the fact that it had thrived in the heart of a ‘Galltacht’ area.
Remarking on the love of the language and culture which attracted pupils to the school, he maintained: “Anyone who thinks the Irish language is dead should be here tonight.”
Over 90 per cent of pupils, past and present, were in attendance at Friday night’s function with the Principal acknowledging each and every year and the respective students and parents. He also thanked the 18 strong staff for their professionalism over the ten years and praised everyone for their input into the school.
Other speakers commented on the “strong community spirit” that existed in Coláiste Ailigh – a comment that was reinforced with the presence of so many who sit, or have sat, in the classrooms of the school.
Among the other speakers were Bishop Philip Boyce; the Chief Executive Officer of the V.E.C., Mary Ann O’Kane; and local T.D. James McDaid who launched the commemorative booklet. Former Chief Executive Officer of the V.E.C., Seán Ó Longáin launched the school’s new website as part of the anniversary celebrations.
A C.D., marking the ten years of the college, will be launched at the school prizegiving ceremony on May 27th.
Donegal Democrat
23 Márta 2010
Winners of SCLÉIP! 2010 TALENT SHOW FOR IRISH-MEDIUM POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS
March 22, 2010
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is delighted to announce the winners of Scléip 2010. Scléip is the national talent competition catering specifically for Irish-medium and Gaeltacht post-primary schools. The competition is divided into eight different categories, with a prize awarded in each category, three additional prizes awarded for innovation and the Grand Prix for the overall winner. The winners are:
Category Winners:
- Solo Music: Shane Ó hAonghusa, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
- Creative Dance (solo): Breandán Ó hIarnáin, Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara
- Creative Dance (group): Domhan Tarraingt, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach
- Solo Singing: Ami Ní Huigéad, Coláiste Chilliain
- Pop/Rock Music: Peadar Ó Goill, Gairmscoil Éinne
- Music Groups: Reach Linn, Gaelcholáiste Reachrann
- Drama/Mime: Teach na mBocht, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair
- Variety: Rosie Ní Gairbheith, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair
Awards for Innovation:
- Solo Music: Clár Ní Mhaoltuile, Coláiste Laurel Hill FCJ
- Music Groups: Trí Lasadh, Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara
- Drama/Mime: An Maidrín Rua, Coláiste Cholmcille
Grand Prix:
- Drama/Mime: Teach na mBocht, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair
The competition began in 2005 and it has grown steadily since then. The aim of the competition is to encourage pupils attending Irish medium secondary schools to use their Irish through the various performing arts by giving them the opportunity to take part in a innovative and exciting event. We hope that this year’s competition has helped to boost their confidence. Seachtain na Gaeilge are offering a studio recording session with a professional sound technician to the winner of the Pop/Rock category, Peadar Ó Goill, and Peadar and the group Trí Lasadh (winners of one of the innovation awards) were on stage recently as part of Gaelspraoí during the Patrick’s Day Festival. GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. wish them and all who took part in Scléip 2010 every success; there was some wonderful talent on show and they are sure to have a bright future ahead of them.
Gaelgeoirs are the elite – but thousands are saying ‘Ní hea’
March 17, 2010
Irish language activists will celebrate St Patrick’s Day and the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge today with mixed feelings.
In certain areas the language is booming, driven by the growth in the number of Gaelscoileanna and a brighter, sexier image in the media.
On the minus side, there is a large section of the population that treats the learning of the language in school as a monumental waste of time.
While Gaelscoileanna are bulging at the seams and there is a huge demand for places, the health of the language is less certain in mainstream schools.
A growing number of students are failing to sit an Irish exam in the Leaving Cert, even though the language is compulsory in the Senior Cycle. They simply fail to turn up for the exam on the day.
Last year, the proportion of Leaving Certificate candidates taking Irish dipped below 80pc for the first time.
Unless an exemption is granted, study of Irish is mandatory at school, but there is no requirement to sit the exam.
Robbie Cronin, ASTI’s Gaeilge subject representative and a teacher at Marian College, says: “There is a much more positive attitude to the language in the media through stations such as TG4, and perhaps less negativity. But you still hear people say that they hate the language and that it is useless.”
While the success of Irish teaching in mainstream schools appears patchy, the rapid growth of Gaelscoileanna has for some time been seen as a towering bright light on the horizon.
Nationally, the number of students enrolled at Irish-speaking primary and second-level schools outside Gaeltacht areas has doubled since the early 1990s to 38,000. The vast majority of these pupils are in primary schools in urban areas.
But the relentless expansion of Irish-language schools has recently been halted by the Department of Education.
Gaelscoileanna Teo, the schools’ representative body for 140 Irish-medium primary schools, has expressed bitter disappointment at the department’s decision not to give the green light to any new Irish language schools this year.
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, chief executive officer of Gaelscoileanna Teo, said: “The biggest challenge we face is that we cannot cater for all the parents who want Irish language schools. At the moment we have to turn away hundreds of children.”
There are committees campaigning for new primary Gaelscoileanna in 10 areas, and for new secondary Gaelscoileanna in eight areas.
She says the minister’s decision not to open any new Irish-medium schools in 2010 contradicts the Government’s own strategy for the language.
Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe hopes to revive the fortunes of the language in mainstream second-level education by awarding 40pc of marks for an oral component in both Leaving and Junior Cert Irish.
The social profile of the language seems to have changed dramatically since the days when it was considered the mother tongue of the downtrodden.
A recent report from researchers at the University of Ulster and the University of Limerick suggests that Irish is now the language of the elite.
The report found that non-speakers of Irish are twice as likely to be unemployed as Irish speakers.
The report found that 42pc of Irish speakers work in senior professional, managerial or technical jobs.
Irish Independent
17 Márta 2010
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta’s Annual Conference
March 9, 2010
