TG4 launches new children’s Apps
November 14, 2012
TG4 launched two children’s apps at Oireachtas na Samhna at the beginning of the month – Cúlacaint2 and Olly an Veain Bheag Bhán.
Young children are becoming more aware of the growth of technology and there are no limits to the possibilities when it comes to entertainment. Programmes are no longer restricted to the television screen and new, innovative means of learning are constantly being developed.
These two apps for iPhone and iPad provide interactive games in Irish as seen in Cúla4 and a full programme schedule for the channel. Programmes uploaded onto the TG4 player can also be viewed on them.
Cúlacaint2 helps young children learn new words by listening and reading lists fun words based on the alphabet, numbers, colours, food and clothes.
The Olly app is based on the successful TG4 kids programme Olly an Veain Bheag Bhán. With this app, kids have a choice of two games – Rás na mBeartán and Cuir Caoi Air. In the first game, kids must gather the right parcels and the second game has to do with putting broken vehicles back together by placing parts in the right places.
A third aip, Ag Sparoi le Claude, based on the original cartoon for kids, will be launched at the end of the month.
Careers Guidance Fair and Seminar to be held in Belfast
November 14, 2012
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge in association with Coláiste Feirste and Forbairt Feirste will organise a careers guidance fair and jobs seminar in Belfast on Thursday, 6th December 2012.
Coláiste Feirste and Forbairt Feirste have being hosting such large jobs fairs in the college in recent years and for the third year running the fair will once again link up the seminar.
Due to the success of these events both the jobs fair and seminar have combined forces once again this year and will take place in Coláiste Feirste.
The seminar will cater for second level students in Northern Ireland. ‘The Added Advantage of Irish’ is the theme of the seminar, and well-known personalities will speak on the advantages which the Irish language has afforded them in their chosen careers.
By linking the Careers Fair and seminar students will get a great opportunity to sit in on one hour of seminars and listen to guest speakers speak and then continue on and visit information stands.
Among the speakers will be the talented broadcaster Lynette Fay who works with BBC Raidió Uladh and who also works with TG4 on various programmes. Dónal McAnallen will give an insight into how he used the Irish language to his advantage as a cultural officer with the Ulster Council.
Gráinne Holland who hails from west Belfast and who is a removed Irish language and Gàidhlig singer will discuss her own experiences and insight into the doors the language has opened to her as an artist and the importance of a language as an identity when travelling abroad.
The event is expected to be both interesting and inspirational and it is hoped that it will motivate students to consider the Irish language when choosing their career paths.
Throughout the seminar students will have a chance to ask questions of the speakers, and to take part in what promises to be a lively debate.
If you are a secondary school teacher and would like to bring a class to the jobs fair and seminar or if you would like to have an information stand at this event please contact: Colma McKee
Tel: 0044 (0)28 90438 771 or e-mail: colma@forbairtfeirste.com
An Ghaeilge to be discussed at annual information day for politicians
November 14, 2012
The current and future status of the Irish language will be discussed on Wednesday, 21st November in Buswells Hotel, Dublin at the annual information day for the politicians of Leinster House.
Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta are continuing with the consultation process with TDs and Senators for the fourth year in a row and this year, they are expecting a contingent of representatives from various constituencies to attend on the day.
Representatives from Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta will be present form 8.00am – 6.00pm on the day and according to both organisations, “it is extremely important that we get as many people as possible from various constituencies on the day to influence their local politicians.”
The annual information day is a great opportunity for politicians and Irish-speaking constituents to come together and discuss the issues that are important to them and their communities. TDs and Senators can be made aware of local issues regarding the language and the opinions of their own constituents.
Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta are asking people to attend the session for a couple of hours to demonstrate to the politicians the importance of the Irish language among their local communities. Various topics regarding the state of the language have been discussed at previous sessions and this year, constituents are asked to focus on the following topics during the discussions:
1. The recognition of the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities as stakeholders in the implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language and the establishment of a proper structure for the Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations;
2. The protection of the Irish language throughout the on-going rationalisation of the public sector and the Government bodies and to embrace any opportunity that will add to the status of the language.
3. The consideration of An Ghaeilge and An Ghaeltacht in the Education and Training Boards Bill 2012.
Those wishing to attend must register beforehand by contacting Síne Nic an Ailí at sine@cnag.ie or by phoning (01) 4757401. Those registering will be asked for their name, their constituency and the time they will ba available to speak to their local politicians.
An dráma An Triail ar chamchuairt
November 14, 2012
Just 40pc vote on handover of schools
November 14, 2012
THE first surveys on the possible handover of Catholic primary schools to other patron bodies have resulted in a low turnout by parents.
At most, 40pc of parents have had their say – and the actual number could be much lower.
An expert group will now analyse the results and will give recommendations to the Department of Education on whether there is a demand for change. The department is also considering whether they need to make any changes before similar surveys are conducted in 39 other areas.
Parents in five areas were asked to vote in recent weeks on whether they would like a greater choice of patron for their local schools. The move is designed to reflect the growing diversity in Irish society and to give parents an opportunity to reduce the dominance of the Catholic Church in primary education.
The church, which controls about 90pc of primary schools, agrees that greater choice is required and is willing to hand over schools in line with parental preferences.
In the first instance, parents were asked to say whether they favoured any change, and, if, so, to give their preference of an alternative patron body from a list provided. The list included all-Irish and multi-denominational schools
The surveys were conducted in Arklow, Co Wicklow; Trim, Co Meath; Whitehall, Dublin; Castlebar, Co Mayo, and Tramore, Co Waterford, and were open to parents of preschool and primary-aged children.
www.independent.ie
Weak response to pilot survey on parents’ preferred patrons of schools
November 14, 2012
Parents have been slow to engage with a Department of Education survey on their preferred choice of patron for primary schools.
Figures released by the Department of Education indicate that less than 40 per cent of parents took part in an online survey in five pilot areas. The actual results of the surveys will not be known until next week.
These surveys are the first step in a process in which the Catholic Church could be divested of control of schools in 44 areas. Despite the low turnout, the department insists there was “an encouraging level of interest from parents”. It says the pilot surveys will allow it to identify the level of parental demand for a wider diversity of school choice in the selected areas. The remaining 39 areas – where there is a stable population and demand for diversity of school types – are to be surveyed next year.
The survey was confined to parents living in the area, parents of pre-school children and of children in primary school. A code of conduct – worked out in consultation with the patron bodies – limited excessive spending by any one side. This limited the capacity of patrons to alert parents to the survey through public relations.
Number of responses
Five pilot areas
Arklow: 384 responses, representing 706 of the 1,965 pupils in primary schools in the area.
Castlebar: 465 responses, representing 932 of the 2,261 pupils in the area.
Tramore: 276 responses , representing 563 of the 1,644 pupils in the area.
Trim: 300 responses, representing 588 of the 1,540 pupils in the area.
Whitehall: 546 responses, representing 987 of the 2,449 pupils in the area.
www.irishtimes.com
Beirt as Corcaigh le bua an dlí agus na díospóireachta
November 14, 2012
Harkin hails EU loan for new Letterkenny school
November 13, 2012
Independent MEP Marian Harkin today welcomed the European Investment Bank loan for the construction of the new Gaelcholáiste Ailigh in Letterkenny, describing it as a “marvellous example of European added value”.
The school will be built as part of a Public Private Partnership, using Irish state funds as well as the loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Coláiste Ailigh will accommodate 350 pupils (mixed girls and boys) with general teaching spaces, specialist classrooms and workshops, as well as a sports hall and playing courts.
Harkin noted that “in a time of great fiscal difficulty, it is encouraging thatIrelandcan avail of these targeted EIB loans for worthwhile infrastructure projects such as this school. Maintaining investment in education is one of the single most important steps we as a nation can take to restoring our economy to full, vibrant health, and the EIB is providing much-needed EU ‘added value’ at the right time”.
She added that “as well as the value to Donegal’s education system, this project will provide employment for architects, engineers, contracts managers and quantity surveyors, and the contractor BAM will maintain the schools under a 25 year service contract”.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Homework club to support school’s language policy
November 13, 2012
FOLLOWING the announcement last week that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht had sanctioned a grant of €5,000 for a homework club in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, details of the scheme have been released this week.
A spokesperson for Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, who manage the scheme which has been running in PCD for the past number of years with Government funding, said it was set up to support the school’s Irish Language policy.
“Through this scheme, students can avail of extra help with their homework after school,” the spokesperson explained. Pupils who are learning or improving their Irish are especially catered for and teachers and professional people provide this service.”
www.kerryman.ie
Nuachtlitir Ráth Chairn
November 13, 2012
