Fixing the education system
February 8, 2011
Madam, – Ed Walsh’s article (Education Today, January 25th) pioneers a bizarre new approach to education excellence – starving Irish schools and pupils of even more resources.
His assertion that increasing spending does not make schools better is based on a false premise. The increase in Irish education spending indicated has much to do with capital projects necessary to take account of changing demographic needs and the full inclusion of students who do not have English as a first language and those with special educational needs. Throwing around figures without such a critique is at best an academically flawed exercise and at worst a mischievous one.
Interestingly, he fails to acknowledge the strong science performance when addressing the concerns over reading and maths competencies set out in the recent Pisa international survey on student performance. He neglects to factor in some other vital information. For example, he fails to reference that a greater number of students for whom English is a second language or who have special educational needs were among those surveyed than in previous reports. TUI fully endorses the inclusion agenda, but we contend that it is too poorly resourced to ensure positive learning for all students in an education system riven with inequalities.
Mr Walsh decries what he terms “the major salary increases” enjoyed by teachers yet neglects to mention that they, along with the rest of public servants, earn considerably less than they did two years ago in an increasingly more difficult classroom environment. After failing to blacken the name of a profession with facts, he resorts to referencing “frequently used” threats to the Leaving Cert by teacher unions, a strange fictional flourish with no grounding in reality. TUI would never resort to such a threat.
Meanwhile, his apparent belief that the incoming Minister for Education and Skills should so seismically amend the role of the Irish language in schools unilaterally and without consultation is, frankly, an insult to critical thinking and democracy. Like most education stakeholders, TUI welcomes fair and reasoned discourse and on all aspects education in Ireland, even if we may not agree with every assertion. Mr Walsh’s provocative and flawed submission adds nothing constructive to the debate. – Yours, etc,
BERNIE RUANE,
President,
Teachers’ Union of Ireland,
Orwell Road,
Rathgar,
Dublin 6.
The Irish Times – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
Enda’s Irish
February 4, 2011
Much praise is due to TG4 for organising the first inter-party pre-election debate in Irish. Congratulations also to the candidates who can confidently step up to the mark in their own language.
However, concerning one of the candidates, Enda Kenny, a clarification is immediately required regarding his stance on the language in our schools.
If Taoiseach, what would you do Enda? As you have stated before, you might consider making Irish optional in schools. Is this still the cornerstone of your policy? Would it not then suffer the same fate as that of foreign languages in schools in England at the moment. After being made optional, interest levels dwindled from 78pc to 44pc in the last ten years.
We’ve had enough of politicians avoiding transparency. Let us see and hear you Enda. Don’t be a stranger. Are you willing to back Irish in our schools or not?
Ciarán Ó Ceallaigh
An Bhruiséil
Irish Independent – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
Summer College ‘as Gaeilge’ for Carlow
February 4, 2011
Following on the success of the Coláiste Samhraidh held in Carlow town in previous years details of this year’s Irish Summer College have been announced.
Organised by Glór Cheatharlach and now in its third year the Coláiste Samhraidh has been a resounding success and gives affirmation to the huge interest in the Irish language in Carlow. Such was the demand for places last summer that a fourth course was added and that too was booked out. Coláiste Samhraidh caters for 6th class pupils at primary school level through to leaving certificate students. Places for a total of eighty teenagers are available with the course running from 4 to 15 July 2011 and based in Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach.
Having the opportunity to attend a course locally rather than having to travel to Connemara, West Kerry or Donegal particularly in these times of economic recession is particularly appealing. Participants get the opportunity to brush up their fluency in the language with the view to improving their grades in the Oral Irish examination which is soon to command 40% of the marks. They also get to meet new friends through Irish in a pleasant and enjoyable environment. The daily timetable from 9.30am until 1.00p.m. consists of Irish conversation and grammar classes, sport and games, Irish singing and the ever-popular Céilí sessions – all conducted ‘as Gaeilge’. Students will participate in the various activities and very much enjoy the Gaeltacht experience while returning to their homes at night.
Full details and application forms are available from Glór Cheatharlach on www.glorcheatharlach.ie . Contact 059 9158105, 085 1340047 or eolas@glorcheatharlach.ie
The Nationalist – Glór Ceatharlach
22nd Colmcille Winter School – The Future of the Irish Educational System
February 3, 2011
In the North, the time to select a school is here again
February 3, 2011
Spring (particularly January) is an important time of the year for Irish-medium Education (IME) in the North, for it is now that parents decide on a school for their children. Of course, each IM school from preschool to secondary level in the North will be ensuring that sufficient information has been provided to parents, enough publicity materials have been made available and information sessions have been arranged for all parents who have children of school age. Each IM school will examine the many values that they have which separate them from schools outside of the IM sector.
Now that parents are thinking about which school they should send their children to , they may want to know what an IM school has to offer that other schools cannot. Teachers might like to remind them of the following:
Both national and international research shows that children who attend Irish-medium schools attain a very high level of competency in speech, writing, understanding and reading in both Irish and English. It’s also proven that IM pupils are just as competent or more competent in English as children who attend English-medium schools. This can be assured as the education system used in IM schools enhances English language development.
The bilingualism achieved by Irish-medium pupils helps them in the following ways:
- Better employment opportunities;
- Better understanding of and more respect for other cultures, traditions and languages;
- A more creative and imaginative thinking process;
- Better problem-solving skills;
- Better communication skills;
- Increased self-esteem;
- A wider vocabulary leading to expanded vision and more comprehensive understanding.
It’s worthwhile informing parents that they do not have to understand Irish to choose an IM school for their children, nor will their lack of Irish be a disadvantage for the child.
It is also worth stating that IM schools are closer to home now than ever before. Information on all IM schools is available at www.comhairle.org. There are throughout the North of Ireland 45 IM preschools, 34 IM primary school and 3 secondary schools.
Not only are IM schools a lot closer to parents in the aforementioned counties, but for those who live on the border there is also the option of attending IM schools in counties Louth, Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal. There is of course the option for parents who live on the south side of the border to choose an IM school in the North.
The constant strengthening of the IME sector shows demand for Irish-medium and in itself is clear evidence of the high standard of education which IM schools provide.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta agnd GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. welcome enquiries from teachers and parents.
An beatha teanga nó bascadh teanga atá i ndán dúinn?
February 3, 2011
Litir chuig Enda
February 3, 2011
I gcuimhne ar an leaid rua
February 3, 2011
Gá le hathrú a dhéanamh ar mhúineadh na Gaeilge
February 3, 2011
Fós ag fanacht le freagra ó Enda Kenny – Feachtasóirí ag lorg cruinniú le FG chun polasaí Gaeilge a phlé
February 3, 2011
