Comhdháil Na Naíonraí Gaelacha
September 7, 2012
New school opens in Dungiven
September 6, 2012
A NEW Irish language school in Dungiven opened its to doors to pupils for the first time this week.
Gaelscoil Neachtain is the first inter-denominational state controlled Irish-medium primary school in the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) area, and opened its doors to pupils for the first time on Monday, September 3, with an enrolment of 65 pupils.
The Chair of the Interim Board of Governors (IBOG), Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh, congratulated the newly-appointed principal, of Gaelscoil Neachtain, Marian Uí Cheallaigh, and wished her every success in her new role.
Ms Ní Bhrollaigh, said: “This is an historical occasion for all involved with Gaelscoil Neachtain.and for gaeloideachais in the area. We view this development as a progressive step as it will allow for the development and growth of Irish medium education and increase access to Irish medium education across the community. We are looking forward to supporting the school over the coming year and moving to permanent premises at the former controlled primary school in the near future.”
In May this year, the Education Minister John O’Dowd approved a development proposal to establish a free standing Irish-medium school, Gaelscoil Neachtain for the Dungiven area and approved the closure of the existing Irish-medium unit at St Canice’s PS – Bunscoil Naomh Cainneach which hosted an Irish Medium unit for 10 years.
With a wealth of experience in education in an Irish medium setting over the last decade, the new principal Máirin said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Principal of Gaelscoil Neachtain and have been working closely with the Western Board in planning and preparing for how the new school will operate.”
She added: “My ambition is to provide an excellent standard of education through the medium of Irish in a positive learning environment for all our pupils that will help enrich the lives of the children, their families and the wider community of Dungiven.”
The new school crest designed by local artist, Murrough O’Kane, portrays an image of a window from the old Priory in Dungiven as the school is named after the first abbot of the Priory, a Scottish born Saint called, Saint Neachtain and the uniform incorporates the famous Dungiven tartan.
Gaelscoil Neachtain is the second controlled Irish-medium school, after Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain in Belfast.
www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk
Thirteen teacher colleges face axe in major reform
September 6, 2012
THE number of teacher training colleges will be cut from 19 to six under radical restructuring proposals announced yesterday.
The reduction would be achieved through closures and mergers. It is designed to bring Ireland into line with best modern practice by moving away from a system of too many small colleges with unnecessary duplication and ultimately towards improving teacher quality.
Another issue touched on in a report from an international panel of experts is the supply and demand of teachers.
Concern
The report expresses “surprise and concern” that this has not been addressed in Ireland, as it has elsewhere. The 19 colleges currently offer more than 40 programmes of teacher training at primary and post- primary level.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is backing the experts’ recommendations and has asked the Higher Education Authority ( HEA) to draw up an implementation plan. However, the proposed rationalisation is certain to spark controversy within the sector, and how mergers would work remains to be ironed out.
One proposal would see teacher training at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin coming together with Marino Institute of Education, which would also be the base for the new centre.
Meanwhile, the Church of Ireland College of Education, traditionally linked to Trinity, is involved in discussions with a group involving Dublin City University, having previously been involved in discussions with NUI Maynooth.
The six mergers envisaged in the proposals are:
- Dublin City University, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education.
- Trinity College Dublin, Marino Institute of Education, University College Dublin and the National College of Art and Design.
- National University of Ireland Maynooth and Froebel College.
- University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Institute of Technology.
- University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology.
- National University of Ireland Galway and St Angela’s College Sligo.
It also recommends that Galway- Mayo Institute of Technology and St Patrick’s College in Thurles opt out of teacher training.
In countries such as Finland, all teachers are educated to Masters level in research- based universities, which could be an aspiration for Ireland.
The report praises the “several advantages” of our system, including the calibre of candidates, with academic standards among the highest in the world.
Specialism
It also notes that entrants to publicly- funded teacher training colleges are capped while numbers in the private sector are uncapped.
The private online Hibernia College last year accounted for more than 700 of the 1,887 primary teacher graduates and has now also moved into post- primary teacher training.
At second- level, the report queries the lack of a mechanism to decide how many teachers are needed in each specialism.
It says that the lack reliable data has led to increasing reliance on the use of “out of field” teachers – those who are unqualified in the subject.
www.independent.ie
Quinn backs cut in teacher training colleges
September 6, 2012
TEACHER TRAINING in the State is set to be transformed, with fewer colleges, a sharper research focus and the establishment of new institutes of education in six centres.
An expert report backed by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn recommends the closure of smaller colleges and the integration of others. The report – by an international panel of experts – suggests there should be a more rigorous cap on the numbers in teacher training amid concerns over high levels of unemployment among teaching graduates.
The changes could also see both primary and second-level teachers being trained on the one campus. On teacher numbers, the report expresses dismay that the issue of teacher supply and demand has not been addressed in Ireland as it has been elsewhere. All of the main teacher training colleges have backed the proposed reforms at this early stage. But potentially controversial changes which could threaten the cherished identity and ethos of each college have still to be teased out. Under one of the recommendations, St Patrick’s College in Dublin would be merged with Dublin City University and the Mater Dei Institute in a new centre based on the St Pat’s campus. The Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE) is also involved in the process aimed at establishing a new-style institute of education in Drumcondra.
The report points to potential difficulties in this process. “It is acknowledged that there is a genuine aspiration for integration (at Drumcondra) but the management plan for its implementation was not evident to the review panel,” it reads. Education sources say special arrangements will be put in place to protect the Church of Ireland ethos in any new configuration. Chairman of the board of governors of CICE, Archbishop Michael Jackson, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, have welcomed the proposed changes. The key recommendation of the report is that six new institutes for education be established, replacing the existing arrangement whereby 19 State-funded coll eges of f er more t han 40 programmes in primary and postprimary teaching. Mr Quinn has asked the Higher Education Authority to submit a detailed report on how to implement the recommendations of the international review body. He will then report back to Cabinet with more f ormal proposals including the financial implications of such a plan.
The report recommends the following mergers/integrations:
Dublin City University with St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and Mater Dei Institute of Education; a new campus is to be located at St Patrick’s. CICE is also involved in this process.
Trinity College Dublin with Marino Institute of Education, University College Dublin and the National College of Art and Design. In a boost for Marino, the new institute could be based at its Griffith Avenue campus. The National University of Ireland Maynooth with Froebel College. University of Limerick with Mary Immaculate College and Limerick Institute of Technology; the campus may be located at MIC. University College Cork with Cork Institute of Technology at UCC. The National University of Ireland Galway with St Angela’s College Sligo, to be based at NUI Galway. The report says smaller teacher training colleges in Letterfrack, Co Galway, and Thurles, Co Tipperary, should be closed, and St Angela’s College in Sligo, which trains home economics teachers, moved to NUI Galway.
It praises the high calibre of entrants to teacher education. It says a move to a Finnish-style system, in which all teachers are educated to master’s level, could be a longer-term aspiration for teacher education in Ireland.
www.irishtimes.com
Ranganna Gaeilge an Fhómhair
September 6, 2012
Cois Teallaigh Conversational Irish Language Groups
September 6, 2012
1 October 2012 – 26 November 2012
1 October 2012 – 26 November 2012
This coming Autumn Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge located in Kildare Street intend to get Dublin city talking as Gaeilge by once again facilitating Irish Language Conversational groups every Monday evening.
This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet up and practice their Irish in a social atmosphere, and to meet other Irish speakers at the same time.
The conversational group is suitable for adults. Individuals are more than welcome to join us and join in the fun while enjoying a cup of tea/coffee!
Our next get together will take place in Cois Teallaigh, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 1st October 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm
So why not come along and strike up a conversation As Gaeilge and brush up on your Irish skills in a relaxed atmosphere.
The total cost is €12 per person for 8 weeks from 1st October – Monday 26th November 2012. (There will be no gathering on the bank holiday weekend in October)
To join us just register your name with Brígíd on 01 679 47 80 / brighid@comhdhail.ie
Come on strike up a conversation As Gaeilge!
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
This coming Autumn Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge located in Kildare Street intend to get Dublin city talking as Gaeilge by once again facilitating Irish Language Conversational groups every Monday evening.
This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to meet up and practice their Irish in a social atmosphere, and to meet other Irish speakers at the same time.
The conversational group is suitable for adults. Individuals are more than welcome to join us and join in the fun while enjoying a cup of tea/coffee!
Our next get together will take place in Cois Teallaigh, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 46 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 on Monday 1st October 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm
So why not come along and strike up a conversation As Gaeilge and brush up on your Irish skills in a relaxed atmosphere.
The total cost is €12 per person for 8 weeks from 1st October – Monday 26th November 2012. (There will be no gathering on the bank holiday weekend in October)
To join us just register your name with Brígíd on 01 679 47 80 / brighid@comhdhail.ie
Come on strike up a conversation As Gaeilge!
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Minister Quinn gives go ahead for major restructuring of initial teacher education Provision
September 5, 2012
New collaborations will see six “Centres for Teacher Education” emerge
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is to proceed with radical plans to overhaul the provision of initial teacher education (ITE).
Minister Quinn has accepted the recommendations set out in a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on the structures of teacher training. The purpose of the report, requested by the Minister, was to identify new possible structures to improve teacher education in Ireland so that it is comparable with the best in the world.
The main recommendation in the review by an international panel of education experts is that teacher education be provided in six “centres for teacher education”.
Currently there are 19 state funded providers of ITE (and three non-state funded) offering more than 40 college programmes in primary and post-primary teaching.
Changes are already underway to the content and length of teacher education, with a greater emphasis on literacy, numeracy and pedagogical skills.
Today’s announcement on structural changes will complement the curricular reforms already outlined by Minister Quinn and assist in positioning Ireland at the forefront of teacher education.
“We know from research that the quality of our education system cannot exceed the quality of our teachers,” said Minister Quinn. “This is why I am driving changes at both a structural and content level in teacher education.”
“The new collaborations recommended by the international panel will mean that a smaller number of centres for ITE exist, but that they offer education across multiple sectors from early childhood to primary, to post primary to adult education.”
“These centres for teacher education will also possess a critical mass in terms of research capacity which is not always possible in smaller institutions. The new configurations will mean strong research bases will be cemented in each centre.”
The report from an international review panel on the Structure of Initial Teacher Education Provision in Ireland recommends the following configurations:
Dublin City University – St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra – Mater Dei Institute of Education
Trinity College Dublin – Marino Institute of Education – University College Dublin – National College of Art and Design
National University of Ireland Maynooth – Froebel College
University of Limerick – Mary Immaculate College – Limerick Institute of Technology
University College Cork – Cork Institute of Technology
National University of Ireland Galway – St. Angela’s College Sligo
The Review Panel has also suggested that the Church of Ireland College of Education would be suitably positioned to join any of the first three new configurations.
The review is in keeping with the recommendations of the National Strategy of Higher Education 2030 or Hunt report which sees local, regional and international collaboration as the key to higher education system development. It will also form part of a wider review of the entire higher education landscape which is currently underway by the HEA.
Minister Quinn has now asked the HEA to submit a detailed report, before the end of the year, on how to implement the recommendations of the Panel. He will then report back to Cabinet with more formal proposals including financial implications.
“Ireland continues to attract the highest calibre of students into the teaching profession. I believe the restructuring of teacher education which I am now initiating will mean these top performing students will receive an education which equips them to become the best possible teachers,” Minister Quinn concluded.
Minister Quinn requested the HEA to advise on the structure of initial teacher education provision in the State earlier this year. In April, an International Review panel was established for this purpose.
The members of the Panel were Professor Pasi Sahlberg (chair), Director General of CIMO (in the Ministry of Education), Helsinki, Finland and Adjunct Professor at the University of Helsinki and the University of Oulu, Professor Pamela Munn, Professor Emeritus at the University of Edinburgh and Professor John Furlong, former Director of the Oxford University.
The terms of reference instructed the international panel to “carry out a review of the structure of initial teacher education provision, and to identify possible new structures which will recognise and address weaker areas in the system of teacher education; leverage the current strengths in the system; and envision innovative strategies so that Ireland can provide a teacher education regime that is comparable with the best in the world.”
EDUCATION.IE
Samhail Nua Mhaoinithe diúltaithe 100%
September 5, 2012
Live in the Cookstown area and want to learn Irish? Now has never been a better time to start.
September 5, 2012
A range of beginner, intermediate and advanced classses are set to become available as part of the Liofa initiative.
Josephine McCaughey, local Irish Language Development officer explains: “As September approaches, it is time to start thinking about availing of the many opportunities to learn Irish that will be out there from mid-September on in the Cookstown and Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council areas.”
Three levels of classes are set to be offered to those living within the Cookstown and Dungannon council areas; beginners, intermediate and advanced, so that learners can learn at a pace that suits them.
The numbers of locations in which classes are being made available is constantly increasing as more and more community groups are continuing to come forward to have classses organised in their community.
The Irish Language Development Officer is very much excited at this and wants to make other groups aware that the Councils can advise and help facilitate groups to develop Irish Language activity.
Details of upcoming classes and their locations will follow in local press and on web over the coming weeks.
Josephine continued: “The beginners classes are aimed at absolute or complete beginners so you have no need to worry about not knowing any Irish, you will meet plenty of other people in the same situation and you will all be amazed at the fun and life-enrichment you have been missing out on! You will also be amazed at the amount of wee words of Irish you already use without being consciously aware of it! “
Some people may want to brush up on the Irish Language skills they acquired at school or night classes and they too, may like to attend a beginner’s class if they want to be comfortable, or even an intermediate class if they want to be challenged.
It really is down to the individual and it is important that the level is right for the individual so that they feel either comfortable or comfortably challenged.
At all three levels emphasis will be placed on confidence building, practical use of language, repetition and practise and this is often most needed at the Intermediate level.
Intermediate or improvers classes are ideally suitable for those who have achieved good results in Irish at school in GCSE or A Level and who have kept up with the language through watching TG4, listening to Raidió na Gaeltachta or for those who, through night classes, are able to hold a short conversation in Irish but may struggle to hold a lengthy conversation owing to lack of practise. Advanced classes are generally for those who are in regular contact with the language who socialise through the medium of Irish and who can speak at length in the Irish language but may need a little help with accuracy and use of proverb and idiomatic language in speaking and writing.
University of Ulster’s part-time Irish Language Diploma is unique in that it is ideally suited for both those who want to be comfortable (as the course is delivered in a methodical step-by-step approach) and simultaneously, for those who want to be challenged (as the pace is quite fast and accreditation is offered).
As a result of the Líofa campaign work is ongoing to establish an Irish Language Diploma programme in Cookstown in 2012/13 as it offers a fast-track to fluency.
The part-time Diploma programme offers flexibility as it is recognised that many of those wishing to be fluent by 2015 are learning the language in their spare time. Dr Malachy Ó Neill explains “This course is perfect for those who already have cúpla focal and who strive to; speak fluently, listen effectively, read confidently and write accurately.” Successful Diploma graduates may enter Year 2 of part-time degree course or Year 1 of full time degree course. For more information contact Malachy Ó Néill via email at gaeilge@ulster.ac.uk
Mar fhocal scoir, finally, It is well worth checking out the Oideas Gael website at www.Oideas-Gael.com as it could be very motivating to know that after attending classes in beautiful Tyrone during the Autumn/Winterof 2012/13 that there are language and cultural holidays to be explored and enjoyed in the beautiful Donegal in the Spring/Summer of 2013!
www.midulstermail.co.uk
40 jobs to be created in Irish language preschool sector
September 5, 2012
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta today announced the opening of 23 new naíonraí throughout September 2012.
The new preschool centres will open in Dublin, Kerry, Cork, Galway, Westmeath, Wicklow, Meath and Wexford.
A record 25 naíonraí were opened in 2011, 8 units more than 2010, and it appears as if the demand for Irish-medium preschooling has remained as high this year.
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta’s Chairperson, Máire Uí Bhriain said: “In the past three years we’ve seen unprecedented growth in the Irish medium early years sector. We believe this to be as a result of a combination of factors: Firstly, the introduction of the ECCE scheme has ensured increased access to our services and secondly, parents now realise the added developmental benefits to children of the Total-Early Immersion model followed by Naíonraí.’
As well as an increase in preschool places, the new naíonraí will also create an estimated 40 new jobs within the education and Irish language sectors.
Clíona Frost, CEO of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta said: ‘Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is delighted that so many new Naíonra services are opening this year. In the current economic climate, we do not often get good news stories like this: 23 new Naíonraí, initially 40 new jobs and hundreds of additional preschool children attending naíonraí for their free-preschool year and acquiring Irish in a safe, secure and friendly setting.
For more information on the new naíonra and Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta visit www.naionrai.ie.
The naíonraí due to open in September 2012 are:
- Naíonra an Choillín, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
- Naíonra an Ghairdín, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
- Naíonra na Rógairí Beaga, Rochfort Bridge, Co. Westmeath
- Naíonra Little Folks, Trim, Co. Meath
- Naíonra Bumblebee, Ashbourne, Co. Meath
- Naíonra Smarty Pants, Rush, Co. Dublin
- Naíonra First Steps, Marino, Dublin 3
- Naíonra Hyde and Seek, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
- Naíonra Westwood, Foxrock, Dublin 18
- Naíonra Safari, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
- Naíonra Mháirín, Lucan, Co. Dublin
- Naíonra Junior Genius, Baldonnel, Dublin 22
- Naíonra Dhún Droma, Dundrum, Dublin 14
- Naíonra Ghaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Bray, Co. Wicklow
- Naíonra Montessori, Bray, Co. Wicklow
- Naíonra an Scoil Bhig, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
- Naíonra Little Treasures, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
- Naíonra Cháit, Barna, Co. Galway
- Naíonra Mamaí Gé, Kinsale, Co. Cork
- Naíonra Highcare Childcare, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
- Naíonra Crèche Absolute Beginners, Blarney, Co. Cork
- Naíonra Radharc na Darach, Tralee, Co. Kerry
- Naíonra Faithleann, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
