Cur agus cúiteamh agus an t-olltoghchán ag teacht chun deiridh
February 24, 2011
Plan for optional leaving Cert
February 24, 2011
Madam, – As a secondary school student, it is my firm belief that students should not be forced to study the Irish language for the Leaving Certificate.
It may well be our national language, but preserving our heritage has little to do with the creation of jobs. Instead, I propose that the next government abolish compulsory Irish after the Junior Certificate, and in its place make it mandatory for the student to study at least one foreign language. Currently, the majority of students studying for their Leaving Certificate will be learning at least two languages – Irish and another European one. Though the latter is optional, many third-level educators require that you have another language, besides English and Irish. Thus, the current system is forcing us to study at least two languages. This is clearly unfair on the many people who find languages hard, but might have a natural flair for other subjects.
Abolishing compulsory Irish at Leaving Certificate level would not result in the loss of our heritage, as many would still choose to study the language (and be more willing to since it would not be enforced upon them). It would, however, let students focus on what they are good at, as opposed to struggling with a subject that they will more than likely not use in the future. – Yours, etc,
LAURA BRENNAN,
Home Farm Road,
Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
A chara, – Robin Bury’s contention that in terms of cost to the taxpayer, the compulsory study of the Irish language is “a manifest failure” (February 23rd) could equally be applied to Maths and English, the other two “core” subjects. Compulsory study does not guarantee learning and is far more likely to create an aversion to a subject than an interest in it. The case in favour of non-coercive education needs to be investigated, but such lack of control over the thoughts and actions of others is anathema to the establishment, ensuring that this will not happen any time soon. – Is mise,
GREG SCANLON,
Ballycasey Manor,
Shannon,
Co Clare.
The Irish Times – Litireacha chuig an Eagarthóir
Independent Candidates support Leaving Cert Irish
February 16, 2011
31 independent candidates for the General Election expressed their support today for the Irish language as a core subject in the Leaving Certificate.
This follows a recent study on attitudes towards Irish as a school subject commissioned by Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge, Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Gaelscoileanna Teoranta and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and carried out by MRBI/Ipsos.
The results of the study indicate support of 61% in favour of the retention of the Irish language as a core Leaving Certificate subject.
The independent candidates from constituencies across Ireland expressed their belief that all students are entitled to learn their national language. They pledged their full support for retention of the Irish language as one of the core subjects at Leaving Certificate level and for maintaining its current status as a minimum entry requirement to third level courses.
The 31 candidates who expressed their support for the Irish language as signatories of the letter sent to the national press include:
James Breen- Clare
Sarah Ferrigan-Clare
Pádraig O Sullivan- Cork North Central
Paul O Neill – Cork East
Mick Finn- Cork South Central
Diarmaid Ó Cadhla – Cork South Central
John Kearney -Cork South West
Michael O Sullivan- Cork South West
Michael Healy Rae- Kerry South
John Dillon- Limerick
Séamus Sherlock-Limerick
Dr. Ben Nutty- Waterford
Eamon Walsh- Galway West
Catherine Connolly – Galway West
Mike Cubbard – Galway West
Noel Grealish – Galway West
Michael Kilcoyne- Mayo
Luke Ming Flanagan – Roscommon/South Leitrim
John McDermott – Roscommon/South Leitrim
Gabriel McSharry Sligo/North Leitrim
Cllr Seamus Treanor- Cavan/Monaghan
Caroline Forde – Cavan/Monaghan
Ian McGarvey – Donegal North East
Thomas Pringle- Donegal South West
Stephen McCahill- Donegal South West
Eugene Finnegan-Wicklow
Michael J Loftus- Dublin North West
Maureen O’Sullivan- Dublin Central
Christy Burke- Dublin Central
Cieran Perry- Dublin Central
Raymond Whitehead-Dublin South
Irish as a core Leaving Cert subject discussed in Donegal
February 16, 2011
150 people attended a public meeting organised by Guth na Gaeltachta and Coiste na mBan Tí i dTír Chonaill last night in Gaoth Dobhair, to discuss the policies on the Irish language held by various political parties. While all candidates in the Donegal South West constituency were invited, those who attended included John Duffy, The Green Party, Piaras Ó Dochartaigh, Sinn Féin; Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil; agus Dinny McGinley, Fine Gael.
Earlier yesterday, Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, announced his party’s election manifesto, in Dublin. In this document, (Page 52) the question of the Irish language as a core-subject at Leaving Certificate level is raised, and it states, that Fine Gael believe compulsory Irish failed to promote the language or a love for the language.
While each party were present to announce their own policies in relation to the Irish language, much of the discussion centred around Fine Gael’s manifesto, and the Irish language as a core-subject at Leaving Cert level.
Ceist na teanga ag teacht chun cinn san olltoghchán
February 16, 2011
Leaving the last word to the wise
February 16, 2011
May I be so bold as to say I am one of the few people who strongly agrees with and supports Fine Gael’s policy on the Irish language.
From my understanding, Irish will still be compulsory up until Junior Cert level. After this, students will be allowed to choose Irish as an optional subject for the Leaving Cert as they would with other subjects. Given the influence of the Leaving Cert on third-level entry and in preparation for work, the least we owe our students is for them to decide what subjects will best suit their abilities, interests and suitability for their future career/education after the Leaving Cert. The policy is not about removing Irish from the curriculum, it is simply about allowing these 16-year-old students to decide whether or not they wish to study Irish for their Leaving Cert.
If they haven’t developed a grasp or love of the Irish language at this stage, another two years of compulsory Irish certainly isn’t going to change anything. Irish teachers wouldn’t have the task of teaching the Leaving Cert Irish course, while simultaneously supervising the students who have Irish exemptions. Instead, they would have interested and motivated students wishing to learn Irish rather than a plethora of students who detest being there because they have to be. The irony of it is that most people I know who have had 14 years of tuition in Irish still cannot speak Irish fluently. Bar gaining entry into university, I have never needed the Irish language since, so what purpose has it served me?
I am as patriotic as any other Irish person, I just don’t believe that language is the only expression of patriotism. If we are to presume that the argument for maintaining compulsory Leaving Cert Irish is to preserve our culture, then we can duly make the argument for inclusion of compulsory Irish history, Irish music, Irish dance, Irish folklore and Celtic art in our Leaving Cert curriculum.
School teacher
Name and address with editor
Irish Independent – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
Irish language policy will cost us votes, admits Fine Gael senator
February 16, 2011
FINE Gael’s controversial plan to drop Irish as a compulsory subject is now a “big issue” in Gaeltacht areas and will cost them votes, one senator admitted last night.
Gaelscoileanna, mna na tithe with Irish summer colleges and Conradh na Gaeilge are intensifying pressure on Fine Gael election candidates to have the party’s position reversed. Senator and Galway West election candidate Fidelma Healy Eames last night conceded it had become a “big issue” in areas such as Connemara and many parts of Galway city. The senator said no changes should take place until a “solid review” was undertaken in order to diagnose the problem.
But the party’s education spokesman Fergus O’Dowd last night claimed that while there would be a period of consultation about improving the curriculum and proficiency levels, the decision had been made to make Irish an optional Leaving Cert subject. Some 15,000 people have now signed a petition opposing Fine Gael’s plans to end compulsory Irish. At the launch of the party’s manifesto, party leader Enda Kenny also signalled that Ireland must move beyond its traditional neutrality and take a more active role abroad. He said “change is necessary” within the spirit of United Nations agreements so that Irish defence forces could make a greater contribution to humanitarian crises. And in another contentious move, the party also confirmed plans to reverse the ban on stag hunting that was hard-fought for by the Green Party last year.
But on issues such as legislating for the 1992 X-case, which would make abortion lawful if the life of the mother is at risk, or legislating for gay marriage, Mr Kenny was less forthright. The abortion issue has re-emerged as a political issue following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights last year. The next government faces a decision on whether to ignore the X-case decision, to legislate for it or to rescind the X-case ruling by means of a new referendum. But Mr Kenny refused to be drawn on any specifics yesterday. Instead, he insisted that an all-party Oireachtas committee should first examine the issue. “This is obviously a very sensitive matter and one that requires and deserves serious consideration and analysis,” Mr Kenny said.
And on the issue of gay marriage, Mr Kenny would only say that his priority is to have the conclusions of the Civil Partnership Bill enshrined in the Finance Bill. This, he said, was the main priority in the area “for the moment”. In contrast, Labour wants a referendum asking people about recognising same-sex unions on the same basis as marriage. It also wants to legislate for the 1992 X-case.
Irish Independent – Áine Kerr
Learning Irish is a right to treasure
February 15, 2011
I HAVE heard the recent reports on Fine Gael’s plans to make the Irish language an optional subject at Leaving Cert level.
As a Leaving Cert student myself, I was outraged at these reports and fear that the right of the young people of this country to learn and speak Irish is in jeopardy. I am not from the Gaeltacht and I am not a fluent Irish-speaker, but I love this language and I can guarantee you that I represent the views of the young Irish people who are afraid to speak out on this issue.
I have recently turned 18 and so will have a vote in the upcoming election. Politicians of this country need to hear the response from the young people — every day I hear adults discussing the effects that this decision will have on us, the young people, but what about how we feel? We are the future of this country, and we are also the new and upcoming electorate. It is time for our voices to be heard.
Ruth Lawlor
Tramore, Co waterford
Irish Independent – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
Crisis in Irish extends to Gaeltacht
February 15, 2011
THE crisis facing Irish is revealed in new figures that show just 1,000 children attending primary schools in the Gaeltacht are native speakers of Irish.
And some 70pc of Gaeltacht primary schools now have three teachers or less. The figures were compiled by the state agency COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta and Gaelscolaiochta) which promotes the educational needs of all Irish schools. COGG chief executive Muireann Ni Mhorain said they showed the challenges facing the language especially in Gaeltacht primary schools where there are 9,500 pupils. “Any discussion of amalgamation of small rural schools, which is being proposed for economic reasons, must bear in mind the language of instruction in schools,” she told the Irish Independent.
Separate figures reveal a sharp drop in the standards of Irish among pupils in Gaeltacht and English medium schools. The Government admitted last year there was limited oral ability among Junior Cert students in a third of post-primary schools. The admission was contained in a 20-year Strategy for the Irish Language, the targets of which were greeted with scepticism. One goal was to treble the reported number of daily speakers outside the education system from 83,000 to a quarter of a million by 2030. As it is, the demand for all Irish schools outside Gaeltacht areas is not being met. There are 28,500 children in these Irish-medium primary schools at present, but no new ones have been sanctioned by the Department of Education since 2008, when four new schools opened.
Irish Independent – John Walshe and Katherine Donnelly
Ó bhéal leanaí imirceach
February 15, 2011
