Deis do scoileanna i mBÁC a bheith rannpháirteach i sraith de chláir raidió ‘Óige Átha Cliath’
June 26, 2012
Gaelscoil Éadan Doire – Lá i gColáiste na bhFiann
June 22, 2012
Cúrsa Teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht, Iúil 2012
June 22, 2012
Analysis on the start-up and growth of Irish-medium schools to commence immediately as recommended by the Forum on Patronage and Plurality
June 21, 2012
Minister Ruairí Quinn announced the Action Plan which he plans to implement in response to the recommendations by the Advisory Board to the Forum on Patronage and Plurality in the primary school sector.
An Foras Pátrúnachta welcomes the decision by the Minister that analysis of the start-up and growth of Irish-medium schools will commence immediately in response to the recommendations of the Advisory Board for the provision of Irish-medium education. It is expected that this important analysis will be a vital information source for future policy development in the area of Irish-medium education.An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted that the Minister has accepted the recommendations on the divestment of patronage to increase diversity in schools. Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta said, “The Department of Education and Skills is offering more of a choice to parents, as part of this process, to choose the kind of school they would like regarding the medium of teaching and the ethos of the school.” Parents will be asked to express their opinions and wishes to the Department when they will be surveyed this Autumn. Ó hEaghra continued, “As a patron, we are already meeting the diverse needs of parents through the three different types of characteristic spirits offered by the patron; Catholic, Interdenominational, Multidenominational through the medium of Irish.”
An Foras Pátrúnachta had an advisory role in the Forum on Patronage and Plurality working sessions, sharing information and putting recommendations forward to the Advisory Board on the current status of Irish-medium education and the methods to take to evaluate and strengthen the provision of Irish-medium education to satisfy the demand. The Minister thanked all of the groups that submitted recommendations and participated in the working sessions.An Foras Pátrúnachta believe that the patron for Irish-medium schools has been advanced in serving diversity and plurality and parental demand since its foundation in 1993. Ó hEaghra welcomes the decision that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will be researching the development of programmes on Education about Religion and Beliefs and Ethics, “This research will be carried out in partnership with education partners and religious groups and An Foras Pátrúnachta greatly look forward to participating in this development process. The programmes will be very useful to schools and they will be a great addition to the teaching about religion and ethics.”
For media information, contact: Caitríona Bairéad :: caitriona@foras.ie :: 01-6294110
AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is the largest patron of Irish medium schools in Ireland at both primary and secondary level. There are 61 primary schools and 3 secondary schools under its patronage. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA is a patron of Irish-medium schools that have a choice of a Catholic, Multidenominational and Interdenominational (Catholic / Protestant) 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. AN FORAS PÁTRÚNACHTA was founded in 1993 so that new gaelscoileanna opening in the coming years would have another choice with regard to patronage. For more information: www.foras.ie
Minister Quinn outlines his Action Plan in response to the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector
June 20, 2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Mr. Ruairí Quinn T.D., today outlined his response to the report of the Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector.
Meeting with the main education partners, the Minister said he broadly accepted the recommendations on divestment made by the Advisory Group and had requested that the process leading to divesting of patronage in areas of stable population begin immediately.
Minister Quinn said, “For many parents this will be the first time they will have a real say in the type of primary school they want their children to go to, whether it is denominational, multi-denominational, all-Irish or other. Surveys of parents will begin in the first identified town areas in the autumn.”
Parents will be given full information on the different types of schools and the different possible patron bodies. Helplines will also be put in place during the survey period to deal with queries from parents.
These surveys will commence in the autumn in 44 town areas. The Advisory group had originally proposed that the process of divestment should proceed in 47 areas identified by the Department in 2010 at the request of the Catholic Church. However this list was based on data from the 2006 census. The information has been updated with the 2011 census data and also takes account of areas where diversity in primary school provision is already provided or planned.
Minister Quinn said, “I believe there will be a lot of interest in each area where a survey will be conducted and I am anxious that the local debate and surveys take place in a calm and respectful manner.”
“My Department will consult with the patron bodies on a code of practice which will ensure that local discussions are conducted in a reasonable fashion.”
The Minister has also decided that the remit of the New Schools Establishment Group will be expanded to support the divesting process.
At the briefing, Minister Quinn reiterated his view that there is a need to balance making real and substantial progress on ensuring diversity of choice of primary schools for parents, with the longer term need to ensure buy-in by the education partners to agreed arrangements for more diversity and inclusiveness, particularly in schools where choice of patronage is not available.
Minister Quinn said “Becoming more inclusive means ensuring that across the system as a whole there is respect for the diversity of traditions and religions from which pupils now come. This has to be done in a sensitive manner which takes account of where we are coming from as well as where we hope to go.”
“I recognise that these issues are complex and very significant and I have decided that there should be a public consultation process on the findings and recommendations in the report with regard to promoting more inclusiveness in schools, particularly in ‘Stand Alone Schools’ where transfer of patronage is not an option.”
The Minister outlined his intention to issue a formal call for submissions from education stakeholders and any other interested parties in September with a deadline for receipt of submissions of end November. The Minister has asked the National Parents Council (Primary) to advise on the development of an information leaflet for parents which will be circulated to all primary schools in the autumn to ensure parents are fully informed about the consultation process.
Following the consultation process, the Forum Report findings and recommendations in this area and the submissions received will be considered in drafting a White Paper as set out in the Programme for Government. This work is to be completed by early 2013.
The Minister also announced his intention to request the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to immediately start exploring, with the education partners and religious interests, the development of an Education about Religion and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics programmes which will supplement existing faith formation programmes in schools as recommended by the Advisory Group.
The Report also makes a number of recommendations concerning the provision of Irish medium schools. Minister Quinn said that he had decided to proceed immediately with the analysis of the start-up and growth of Irish medium schools as proposed by the Advisory Group. This analysis will inform future policy development in this area.
Minister Quinn thanked all those who made submissions and attended Forum working sessions for their input. In particular, the Minister said “I want to pay tribute to the Advisory Group, Professor John Coolahan, Dr. Caroline Hussey and Ms Fionnuala Kilfeather for the commitment, energy and expertise that they brought to this task. The Forum is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and I’m delighted that its work has been completed.’
“I look forward to working with stakeholders to implement the Action Plan and in providing greater diversity and choice of schools into the future.”
Notes:
The Report’s recommendations regarding divesting focus on what is appropriate for areas of stable population, where new schools cannot be socially or economically justified but there is a demand for diversity of school types. The Report’s recommendations can be broadly divided into three types:
- those dealing with the practicalities of achieving divesting of patronage where there is a stable population and a demand for diversity of school types;
- those dealing with Irish language provision;
- and those dealing with the creation of more inclusive schools, particularly ‘Stand Alone’ schools, often in rural areas, which account for about 1,700 of the 3,200 primary schools and where divesting to another patron is not an option.
The Report recommends achieving diversity of patronage by using the existing stock of schools in areas where the population is stable. Where there is a cluster of denominational schools but also parental demand for alternative school patronage, the report recommends that transfer of patronage be achieved with assistance from the Department.
The Advisory Group cautions against a ‘big bang’ approach and advises that change of patronage should happen in a phased way, through the adoption of a catchment area approach, taking account of the preferences of parents.
The report recommends that phase one of this work would involve examining school patronage in 43 towns and 4 Dublin areas identified by the Department in 2010, arising from a request by the Catholic Church, as likely to have substantial demand for diversity.
As this list was based on the 2006 census, the DES has updated it using the 2011 census and taking into account areas which already have diversity in primary school provision. The list of 44 areas is below.
New Schools Establishment Group
The Minister appointed the New Schools Establishment Group in 2011 to advise him on the patronage of new primary and second level schools.
The New Schools Establishment Group’s terms of reference are being expanded to include:
To advise the Department regarding undertaking the survey of parental preferences in the identified areas. To validate the completed survey work undertaken by the Department in relation to each of the identified areas before the outcome of the survey is transmitted to the relevant Patrons. To analyse (a) the Department’s evaluation of the divesting options presented by the relevant Patrons in each identified area and (b) the recommendations being made by DES regarding divesting of schools to alternative patrons to ensure these are in accordance with parental preferences and demand. To report to the Minister and make recommendations (including indicative timelines for actions) regarding divesting of schools to alternative patrons in each of the identified areas having regard to parental preferences.
Timeline for surveys in the 44 areas
- A public advertisement to formally invite expressions of interest for patronage of schools in the forty four areas identified for the first phase of surveying and divesting process will be made by end of June 2012.
- Public advertisement in the five pilot areas to be surveyed will be placed at the beginning of October 2012.
- Helpline to be put in place to deal with any queries from the public or school communities in relation to the surveying.
- Pilot in the first five areas to be surveyed to be completed during October.
- Validation of the survey outcomes in the five initial areas to be undertaken in conjunction with the New Schools Advisory Group during November 2012.
- Following validation, the outcome of the surveys in the five initial areas are to be published and sent to all patrons for consideration of divesting options.
- Public advertisement in the balance of the forty four areas to be surveyed will be placed at the beginning of November 2012.
- Surveying in the balance of the forty four areas will commence in November 2012.List of areas to be included in initial phase of surveys
The 44 areas included in Phase 1:
- Arklow
- Ballina
- Ballinasloe
- Bandon
- Birr
- Buncrana
- Carrick-on-Suir
- Carrigaline
- Castlebar
- Celbridge
- Clonmel
- Cobh
- Dungarvan
- Edenderry
- Enniscorthy
- Fermoy
- Kells (Ceanannas)
- Kildare
- Killarney
- Leixlip
- Longford
- Loughrea
- Malahide
- Monaghan
- Nenagh
- New Ross
- Passage West
- Portmarnock
- Roscommon
- Roscrea
- Rush
- Shannon
- Skerries
- Thurles
- Tipperary
- Tramore
- Trim
- Tuam
- Westport
- Wicklow
- Youghal
- Whitehall
- Dublin 4
- Dublin 6 & 8
Spraoicheist Gael Linn i gCeatharlach
June 20, 2012
Nóta tábhachtach: Comhdháil na Ceannasaíochta ar ceal
June 19, 2012
English only service available to Students
June 19, 2012
Students seeking information on financial support for further and higher education can now access a new website www.studentfinance.ie.
The website provides useful information on fees, grants as well as all terms and conditions associated with student grants. This helpful web site gives a detailed account into a range of options that can sometimes be difficult to understand and complex in nature. However, those wishing to avail of the service through Irish will be left disappointed as the website is not fully bilingual. The website offers an Irish language option available at the top of the screen, however, it only displays the page titles through Irish with the rest of the content available only in English. Upon contacting www.studentfinance.ie, the website operators said that the initial aim of the website was to go live. The website is an initiative of The Higher Education Authority (HEA) which is a public company that comes under The Official Languages Act 2003. The HEA also has a very informative website of its own, however it also has very limited Irish language content. The Higher Education Authority is obliged by its language scheme under The Official Languages Act to provide a fully bilingual website. However it does not seem that they are under obligation to provide an Irish version of any other website that is connected to the authority through Irish only the authority’s website itself. www.studentfinance.ie is expected to generate a high amount of interest over the coming period as students finish their exams and as a result of this the Minister of Education has recently asked those interested in applying for grants to do so as early as possible. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) was also launched lately by the Higher Education Authority. The Online application system for Student Grants for the 2012-13 caters for both official languages. This is due to the HEA duty under the Official Languages Act to provide interactive services through Irish and English. The service is quite difficult to find however unless you access it through www.studentfinance.ie. Once the user is using SUSI they are recommended to find further information in relation to the grants from www.studentfinance.ie. Unfournately, due to the fact the www.studentfinance.ie is primarily available in English this puts the Irish Language user at a severe disadvantage.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
School’s farewell events open to all
June 19, 2012
The principal of a primary school that is poised to move to a new building has issued an invitation to all to a series of farewell events.
Gabriel Ó Cathasaigh, the founding principal of Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin in Ballincollig, Co Cork, will host a reunion for past pupils and their families tomorrow night.
It will be the first of several marking the end of the school’s three decades at Inniscarra Rd, close to the former home of poet Seán Ó Ríordáin — after whom the school is named.
Mr Ó Cathasaigh was the first teacher when the school opened in 1983 with 20 junior infants. By September, the 24 teachers will have 525 pupils. The new school building is due to be ready in September.
Mr Ó Cathasaigh invited anyone with a connection to the gaelscoil to attend tomorrow night’s reunion where old roll books and photos will be on display.
“We thought it would be nice to give people an opportunity to come in and walk around, and I suppose, just say goodbye,” he said.
There is a barbecue for neighbouring residents on Wednesday, and another event for sixth class pupils and their parents on Thursday.
“We have lots of fond memories of this school. But it’s the people that make the memories and they are all moving to the new school,” Mr Ó Cathasaigh said. Glenman Corporation is building a three-storey 24-classroom school on the Kilumney Rd, Carriganarra, under the department of education’s Rapid Build School Programme.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/
Chess players make all the right moves
June 18, 2012
A DROGHEDA school has scooped a major chess award for the second time in three years, becoming Leinster champions once again.
Scoil Aonghusa was the venue for the Drogheda Primary Schools Chess League final last Thursday. It couldn’t have been a more glorious, sun-drenched day for the Leinster Chess Championship for Irish language primary schools, gaelscoileanna Cúige Laighean.
Scoil Aonghusa was very proud to host the event, which saw schools from ever corner of Leinster travel to compete for the coveted Buanthrofaí Fichille (perpetual trophy) specially designed by Share Holland from Duleek Business Park.
Guest of honour Dr. Gearóidín Uí Laighleis, a well known chess champion in Ireland, appeared during the last round when tensions were high.
At 1 p.m. chief referee Brennan Corrigan counted scores for each school. Children gathered excitedly from all schools to see how they had done. Table drums rolled as the winners were announced.
Scoil Naoimh Pio from Knockcommon, Beauparc, proudly stepped up to receive first prize in the Fola section. It was a tough battle in the Banba section as last year’s winners Scoil Bhríde from Dublin with their star player Ciara (who was famous for already beating a chess master in blindfold chess in the Mansion House in November) hoped to lift the Buanthrofaí Fichille.
However, this was Scoil Aonghusa’s year, Leinster Champions once again having lifted the trophy previously in 2010.
The Rí Fichille (chess king) and Banríon Fichille prizes were lifted by two proud Scoil Naoimh Pio children.
A very special thank you has been extended to Naoise Ní Cathláin from fifth class in Scoil Aonghusa and Brendan Corrigan who worked tirelessly with Úna O Boyle to make sure everything went smoothly during the tournament.
– ALISON COMYN
DROGHEDA INDEPENDENT
