Appropriate accommodation for Coláiste Raithín
February 6, 2012
The parents, students and staff of Coláiste Ráithín are campaigning for appropriate accommodation for the school, and are seeking the support of the wider gaelscoil community. Statement from the campaign:
Since 1994, management, staff and parents in Coláiste Ráithín have been working on the relocation of Coláiste Ráithín to new premises. Seventeen years on, Coláiste Ráithín is still located in the same situation – on 2 separate sites, in prefabricated, unsuitable buildings with no recreational, leisure or sports facilities. Despite this, the school is one of the best schools in the county and the pupils continue to thrive academically.
The pupils, teachers and staff of Coláiste Ráithín deserve a new school building that reflects the commitment, aspirations and achievements of the school community.
Most second level schools in the area have recently received significant investment and have been substantially upgraded. In 2014, the Department of Education (DES) will open a brand new state-of-the-art second level school, on a 12-acre site in Blacklion, 4 miles from Coláiste Ráithín. In order to compete with this new school and the other recently upgraded schools in the area, Coláiste Ráithín must be given similar investment, and a new, state-of-the-art school building be built and open that same year, 2014.
Sign the petition here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/colaisteraithinnewschoolbuilding2014/
New Syllabus for third level Irish students
February 6, 2012
A new syllabus for third level students studying the Irish language hopes to inspire students and develop further self-awareness and awareness of the language in new cultural contexts.
The syllabus will be launched today in St. Patrick’s College in Drumcondra in Dublin and it is the third syllabus to be developed by an advisory group An Mheitheal um Theagasc na Gaeilge ar an Tríú Leibhéal.
Dr Máirín Nic Eoin of St. Patrick’s College, Dublin and Dr John Walsh of NUI Galway are director of the project. The new syllabus is based on level B2 of an international benchmark for language learning known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.It addresses differences in language ability, the needs of students as well the implementation of the syllabus and examinations as well as themes, learning outcomes and language skills to be developed by University students.
It follows the publication of a syllabus for first and second year students of the language at third level. All reference material, resources and the syllabus can be viewed online on www.teagascnagaeilge.ie
GAELPORT
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin – Intensive Irish Courses
February 6, 2012
Would you like to practice your Irish, or maybe start learning it for the first time? Well you will have the perfect opportunity during the Caoimhín Ó Dochartaigh festival in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin. Coláiste an Phobail are providing Intensive Irish courses at various levels on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February. The classes will run from 11:00-13:00 and 14:30-16:30 on Saturday and Sunday. There are classes at 3 different levels, a Beginners Class for those who are starting to learn Irish. A Fáinne Airgid class, this is an intermediate class, for those hoping to undertake this test or those who want to add to their Irish. A Fáinne Óir class, this advanced class is suitable for those who want to take this test or for those who wish to practice and improve their fluency. The Fáinne scheme will take place during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012 but attendants of these intensive course do not have to take part in the scheme. If you would like to register or need any more information, contact Fiachra or Ciara on 02871264132 or at fiachra@culturlann-doire.ie, ciara@culturlann-doire.ie. It is recommended that you reserve a place as soon as possible as spaces are limited. The Course will cost £25 and everyone is welcome.
Spring Newsletter online now
February 6, 2012
Local school pilots Irish language app
February 6, 2012
A local primary school is among the first to pilot a new language application in a bid to get pupils speaking Irish.
St Patrick’s Primary School, Aghagallon, is promoting the learning of Irish through a new mobile phone application, which is proving popular amongst its pupils.
Focusing on non-smart phones, the app helps students learn the basics of the Irish language
With a few minutes each day MobLang teaches the most common phrases.
Special exercises help with pronunciation, while games allow users to practice newly learned words and phrases.
LURGAN MAIL
Curaidh Chomórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain Gael Linn 2012 ag ceiliúradh!
February 6, 2012
Ciorcal Comhrá Iarscoile i gCeatharlach
February 3, 2012
NUIG launches iTunes channel to help schoolchildren learn Irish
February 3, 2012
A new learning resource, The iTunes U – COGG Channel, developed by NUI Galway for Gaeltacht and all-Irish primary schools was launched this week.
The iTunes U – COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta) Channel comprises audio and video resources that have been carefully selected from both the Raidió na Gaeltachta and NUIG archives, as part of a research project undertaken by the university’s Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
The 300 new learning resources include songs, poems, stories, points of information, and history in the different Gaeilge dialects that are aimed at stimulating language acquisition and enrichment among Gaeltacht and all-Irish primary schools – particularly in fifth and sixth class.
A learning plan has also been developed for teachers to assist in the effective use of the resources in the classroom. The channel will also have resources for other learner groups.
“Digital resources of a high standard are a prerequisite for the contemporary classroom,” said Muireann Ní Mhóráin, chief executive of COGG.
“The new channel will add significantly to the current corpus of Irish language teaching resources available and it’s great see to our rich cultural heritage and new technology being intertwined to develop Irish language learning resources in such an attractive and efficient way.”
GALWAY ADVERTISER
Gaeltacht schools still face cuts despite 500+ taking to the streets
February 3, 2012
500 people marched outside Dáil Éireann last night in opposition to the proposed cuts to small, rural and Gaeltacht schools. Despite the large group of protesters the motion to oppose these cuts was rejected by a Dáil vote last night.
Many people from Gaeltacht areas around the country travelled to Dublin last night to take part in the protest including groups from An Bun Beag, Lios Póil, Conamara, Mayo, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, An Rinn and Ráth Chairn.
The cuts proposed in last December’s Budget will result in the number of pupils required for a four-teacher school increasing from 81 to 83 students.
Gaeltacht schools had previously benefitted from a favourable quota due to the challenges involved with teaching in Gaeltacht areas, with 76 pupils required for a four-teacher school. This number however, is due to rise to 86 by 2014, a hike that will require 10 extra pupils for each Gaeltacht school to preserve their four-teacher status.
A motion by Fianna Fáil opposing these measurements was rejected in a Dáil vote last night by 87:46.
In an interview with Gaelport.com Treasa Ní Mhainín, Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta stated that 12 Gaeltacht schools will lose a teacher in September as a result of these cuts.
Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta are due to meet with Minister of State Dinny McGinley, TD, next week to bring the cases of these schools to the attention of the Government. Their request in early January for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn, TD, was granted last night and is due to take place by the end of February.
GAELPORT
Protests and insults over school cuts
February 3, 2012
Protests were held outside the Dáil and insults were hurled within it last night over the Government cuts to small schools.
More than 100 protesters gathered outside Leinster House urging Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to reverse the staffing cutbacks.
Inside the Dáil, meanwhile, Government and opposition TDs frequently clashed during the conclusion of the debate on a Fianna Fáil motion condemning the cuts.
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae labelled the minister a disgrace and called on Government TDs to oppose the cuts.
That led to a particularly heated clash with his constituency rival in Kerry South, Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, who insisted he was already doing his utmost to protect local schools.
Other Government TDs criticised Fianna Fáil for moving the motion, saying it was hypocritical from a party which had presided over the economic collapse which led to the cutbacks.
Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins reacted furiously to suggestions that his party had “no mandate” to raise the issue, accusing the Government of wanting to foster a “dictatorship”.
He claimed the coalition had an “anti-rural” agenda, as small schools were mostly rural-based.
Another Fianna Fáil TD, Dara Calleary, said the cuts would place the future existence of small schools, scoileanna Gaeilge, and schools of minority faiths in danger.
Minister of state Ciarán Cannon, responding on behalf of Mr Quinn, said it was scare-mongering to suggest schools would close.
The only issue, he said, was that their teacher numbers would not be “as advantageous” as they had been.
