Splitting Irish course would help language
March 8, 2012
The recent exchanges in your paper about the possibility of making Irish optional for the Leaving Certificate raise many serious questions about the point and purpose of it being compulsory.
I love the language and continue to read it and use it on those very rare occasions where this is possible.
My love of Irish was generated by the exciting and interesting way it was taught at my first school. We spoke Irish on the playground with great enthusiasm. American tourists would attempt to listen to us. Occasionally they would invite us to the school boundary so that they could hear us speak.
We accepted the invitation but demanded ten shillings for the service. This entrepreneurial opportunity was not to be missed.
As I grew up, what I found difficult to handle was the way the Irish language was caught up in Ireland’s obsession with the past. Speaking Irish was seen as a distinctive way of not being English. It was offered as a means to political and ideological ends, not as an end in itself. Many of my school mates who had difficulty learning the language felt they were pawns in a form of crass nationalism and came to despise Irish.
The Irish language puts us in touch with a form of thinking and speaking that has been embedded in the way we Irish speak English.
I have spent many an hour explaining to my English friends and colleagues that we do not speak a defective form of English but one that has been enriched by the rhythms and music of the Irish language.
The splitting of the Leaving Certificate course into Irish Language and Irish Literature would do much to enliven the teaching and learning of the language.
Philip O’Neill
Edith Road
Oxford
IRISH EXAMINER
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA IS THE SUCCESSFUL PATRON OF NEW GAELSCOILEANNA
March 8, 2012
Minister Ruairí Quinn of the Department of Education and Skills recently announced the patronage for the new primary schools opening this September, 2012 and September 2013.
“An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted that three new Gaelscoileanna in Dublin will be opening under its patronage in 2012 and 2013. We had already received notification of the opening of Gaelscoil an Chuilinn in Mulhuddart this year, and now the number of Gaelscoileanna under An Foras Pátrúnachta is growing again with two additional Gaelscoileanna opening in Tallaght and Stepaside in 2013”, said General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, Caoimhín Ó hEaghra. The Department of Education selected areas around the country which it foresees a substantial growth in population will occur in the coming years and subsequently, will require more schools in these areas to cater for this increase.
An Foras Pátrúnachta submitted applications for patronage of ten new primary schools in different areas in Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Galway last October, 2011. The patron took particular care to the requirements laid out by the Department, including diversity, plurality and parental demand. Although the patron body is thrilled by the growth in Gaelscoileanna, General Secretary Ó hEaghra, is surprised however that recognition for a new Gaelscoil was overlooked in two areas in particular, Carpenterstown in Dublin and Kildare Town. Ó hEaghra said “there was huge support by parents for Gaelscoileanna in these areas. Also, if you look at the issue of diversity and plurality, An Foras Pátrúnachta and Irish-medium primary schools are few and far between, especially in the case of Kildare Town.” The Department of Education has said that the need for a second primary school as a Gaelscoil in Kildare Town will be assessed if there is sufficient evidence of parental demand in the area. An Foras Pátrúnachta is very confident that this requirement can be fulfilled.
In addition to these new Gaelscoileanna, the fourth Gaelscoil will open in Knocknacarra, Galway in 2013 but a decision is yet to be made by the Department regarding patronage for this Gaelscoil. The Department will continue to assess the applications submitted by two potential patrons, An Foras Pátrúnachta and the VEC, and it will seek further clarification on the patrons’ applications before making a decision.
An Foras Pátrúnachta will be organising public meetings in the areas where new Gaelscoileanna are opening with the intention of establishing Founding Committees to co-work with the patron in the process of opening a new Gaelscoil. Parents who wish to pre-enrol their child in the new Gaelscoileanna can visit www.foras.ie to complete a form.
For media information, contact:
Caitríona Bairéad :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110
About An Foras Pátrúnachta:
An Foras Pátrúnachta was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage. An Foras Pátrunachta is a national patron for both primary and second level schools. An Foras Pátrúnachta is a patron of Irish medium schools that have a choice of Catholic, Interdenominational and Multidenominational ethos.
The vision of An Foras Pátrúnachta is to develop, strengthen and promote education through the medium of Irish throughout the country. An Foras Pátrúnachta is recognized by the Department of Education and Science as a patronage system which is acceptable and appropriate for first and second level schools.
New Irish language edition of best-selling classic Under the Hawthorn Tree
March 8, 2012
Scéal éachtach ar an Drochshaol, agus ar thriúr óga a sháraíonn gach guais lena linn. I ndaichidí an naoú haois déag tá Éire I ngreim ag an ngorta. Nuair a imíonn mí-ádh ar a dteaghlach féin, fágtar Eibhlín, Micheál agus Peig le déanamh as dóibh féin. Le héalú ón ocras agus ó theach na mbocht, cuireann siad sa siúl. Is é a n-aon dóchas dul chomh fada leis na seanaintínú a mbíodh a máthair ag scéalaíocht orthu. Tugann siad aghaidh go misniúil ar an aistear fada anróiteach, agus gnó acu ar feadh an achair dá bhfuil de shracadh agus de ghrá agus de dhílseacht ina gcroí.
Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family, Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of ending up in the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great-aunts they have heard about in their mother’s stories. With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.
Under the Hawthorn Tree, the first novel from best-selling children’s author Marita Conlon-McKenna became an immediate bestseller and an international success when published, it was translated into 12 languages and over 200,000 copies have been sold in Ireland alone. It won the International Reading Association Award (1991), the Reading Association of Ireland Premier Award (1991) and the Österreichischer Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreis (1993). The cover of Under the Hawthorn Tree/Faoin Sceach Gheal was designed by award-winning illustrator P.J. Lynch
Marita Conlon-McKenna is one of Ireland’s most popular children’s authors. She has written many bestselling children’s books. Under the Hawthorn Tree, her first novel, became an immediate bestseller and an international success. Its sequels, Wildflower Girl and Fields of Home, which complete the Children of the Famine trilogy, have also been very successful. Marita’s other children’s novels include The Blue Horse, No Goodbye, Safe Harbour and In Deep Dark Wood.
Competitions, activities and fun for Seachtain na Gaeilge
March 7, 2012
Would your school or youth club like to do something exciting and fun for Seachtain na Gaeilge? Take part in Rith 2012, (www.rith.ie) a giant relay race through 15 counties and 75 towns in Ireland from 8-17 March. You can take part in different ways:
- Enter the competitions to win individual and class prizes.
- Take part. Sponsor a kilometre and carry the Rith Baton. Or use the games and useful phrases on the website to run your own school event.
- Download free posters, lesson plans, and worksheets and use Rith to support learning in PE, Music, Geography and SPHE (Safety).
Stuck in Lá Groundhog?
March 7, 2012
A chara,
The fact that Ann Marie Hourihane does not encounter Irish as a living language does not mean that the language is “non-spoken” (Opinion, March 5th).
There is a significant minority of Irish people who use Irish on an everyday basis, both inside and outside the Gaeltacht, as evidenced by the success of TG4 and the demand for Irish language education. The working-class community of Cabra in central Dublin has established in recent years a thriving pre-school, primary and secondary school, through the medium of Irish, where the children continue to improve their educational standards. There are hundreds of similar projects throughout the country, which Ms Hourihane should research before labelling it “a charade”.
Her words are highly insulting for the thousands of children who use Irish as an everyday tongue, which their parents believe is central to their self-identity and self- esteem.
– Is mise,
SEAN Ó DONAILE,
Priomhoide,
Gaelscoil Bharra,
Cabrach, Baile Átha Cliath 7.
IRISH TIMES
Clár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh nua le fógairt ag McGinley
March 7, 2012
Good sport Kenny is spreading the word about Seachtain na Gaeilge festival
March 7, 2012
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny yesterday spread the word that the Irish language is alive and well at the launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012.
He showed off his hurling skills to Noinin Ni Mhurchu (5), from Scoil Bharra in Cabra, to mark the start of the two-week festival.
Running up to and including St Patrick’s Day, the festival aims to promote our national tongue at home and abroad.
Now in its 110th year, a primary objective of the festival is that those with even just a ‘cupla focal’ have the courage to speak up.
For the first time, many politicians may find themselves lost for words as an Irish language ‘La Gaeilge’ will take place today in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Order of Business and Leader’s Questions will all be conducted through Irish.
IRISH INDEPENDENT
Department of Education announces four new gaelscoileanna opening in 2012 and 2013
March 7, 2012
“Of the 16 new primary schools to open around the country in 2012 and 2013, we welcome the announcement by the Minister of Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, TD that four of them are to be gaelscoileanna”, said the president of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. Máirín Ní Chéileachair. “This is a positive decision that ensures that Irish-medium education will be available as a choice for pupils whose parents have been campaigning diligently on their behalf. This progress confirms the significant demand from the public for Irish-medium education and the continuing growth, development and demand for gaelscoileanna.”
The new gaelscoileanna are to be established in the following areas:
- Mulhuddart, Dublin 15. Gaelscoil an Chuilinn will open in September 2012 *See note below on how to register your child for this new school.
- Firhouse/Oldbawn, September 2013
- Stepaside, Dublin 18, September 2013
The three schools listed above will be under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta.
A new gaelscoil will also open in Knocknacarra, Galway in September 2013, though the patronage of the school is yet to be decided. The new system put in place by the Department of Education states that the Department alone will identify the areas in which new schools are to be established, making the process far less democratic than before. In this new recognition process, applications for gaelscoileanna in other areas of rapid population growth were rejected, particularly affecting Kildare, where the closest gaelscoil is unable to cater for the overwhelming demand for Irish-medium education. The Department has given limited recognition to this demand, and there is hope that a gaelscoil might be established there in 2014.
CEO of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO., Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin said that “while we recognise that today’s announcement is a positive reflection of the hard work done by the local founding committees and the cooperation of all the partners in the process, there are problems with the system in that it does not allow for the demand that exists in areas outside of those identified by the Department, particularly those areas where the population is not on the increase. This leaves communities without access to their preferred type of education for their children. This makes it difficult for us to inspire and encourage communities to engage with the process, when there is no certain outcome for them. We firmly believe that community choice should be central to the process, and as an organisation we will continue to support all gaelscoileanna and those who wish to establish new schools.”
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national coordinating body for Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides assistance and support to parents and local communities who wish to found a school and it supports existing Irish-medium schools in their development.
*Parents can register their children for September 2012 in Gaelscoil an Chuilinn in Mulhuddart by calling 086 3236187 or emailing gaelscoilanchuilinn@gmail.com.
Further information:
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, CEO, GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Phone: 01 8535195 Email: blathnaid@gaelscoileanna.ie
Máirín Ní Chéileachair, President, GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
Phone: 01 6290667 Email: mairinnicheileachair@gmail.com
Forbairt na Matamaitice sa Chóras Tumoideachais – Seimineár Inseirbhíse
March 7, 2012
Minister Quinn announces patronage of new Primary schools being established in 2012 and 2013
March 7, 2012
The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today announced his decisions on the patronage of new primary schools to be established in 2012 and 2013.
This is the culmination of the process which began in June 2011 when the Minister announced that 20 new primary schools are to be established up to 2015 across a number of locations to cater for increasing pupil numbers.
At that time the Minister also announced new criteria and arrangements for the recognition of the new schools. The arrangements included the establishment of a New Schools Establishment Group, an independent advisory group, to advise the Minister on the patronage of the new schools following its consideration of a report prepared by Department officials. The New Schools Establishment Group reported to the Minister last week.
Announcing the patronage of the new schools, Minister Quinn said: “The decisions taken by me on patronage of the new schools place a particular emphasis on providing for demonstrated parental demand for plurality and diversity of patronage. These new schools will optimise parental choice and strengthen diversity of provision in the areas in which they are to be established.”
Patrons were asked to provide evidence of parental demand when making an application for a new school. In addition, the criteria used in deciding on patronage included how the proposed schools under the respective patrons would provide for extending or strengthening diversity of provision in each area, having regard to the views of parents.
In assessing the applications received in all cases, all of the published criteria as set out were considered, including the extent of diversity in existing schools and the extent of diversity that would be provided by the new school or schools. This was considered in conjunction with the level of parental demand for each of the patron applicants.
The Minister expressed his thanks to the members of the New Schools Establishment Group for their valuable input to the process. Minister Quinn said “I initiated the revised system for the establishment of new schools and the appointment of the school patron so that it would be an objective and transparent process. The role of the New Schools Establishment Group is critical to achieving these aims and I want to thank them for their work in this area.”
Department officials will shortly contact each of the patron bodies in regard to the logistics of the establishment of these new schools.
Seven new primary schools will open in September 2012. Of these, five will be under the patronage of Educate Together (ET), one will be under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta and the seventh will be a Community National School which will be under VEC patronage when enabling legislation is passed.
Minister Quinn accepted the recommendations of the Group in all cases with the exception of Kildare and Mallow. He made a change regarding the patronage proposed for the new schools in Kildare and Mallow where the level of parental demand demonstrated by each of the patrons was practically identical. Minister Quinn has approved Educate Together as patron of the new school in Kildare and he has approved Co. Cork VEC as patron of the new school in Mallow (rather than the VEC in Kildare and Educate Together in Mallow as had been recommended). County Kildare already has a community national school under Kildare VEC located in Naas. This change was made in order to expand the number of counties and VECs having a community national school and to limit the number of community national schools commencing in 2012 ahead of the enactment of new legislation regarding VECs. The Education and Training Boards Bill, the general scheme of which has been published, will deal with the statutory basis regarding the VEC/ Education and Training Board involvement in community national schools. The Minister will also be publishing a working group report on the operation to date of Community National Schools in the coming weeks and in this context is considering how this model can be further developed as part of the primary system generally.
List of New Primary Schools 2012, New Primary Schools 2013 and 2014 onwards
Report of the New Schools Establishment Group on the Patronage of Primary Schools scheduled to commence in September 2012 and 2013
EDUCATION.IE
