Minister Quinn congratulates the Leaving Certificate Class of 2013
August 14, 2013
58 per cent increase in numbers taking Higher Level Maths over last two years, and 16 per cent rise in students taking Higher Level Irish
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has sent his congratulations to the 55,572 Leaving Certificate students who will be collecting their results at their schools, or by phone or online today.
“The waiting is over. I hope the results received reflect the work and the many hours of study that the students have committed to over the last few years,” Minister Quinn said.
“While our congratulations and good wishes must be focussed on the students who receive their exam results today, I also want to pay tribute to you the parents, families, teachers and school communities who have helped them reach this milestone.”
This year, 26 per cent of all Maths students took the Higher Level paper – the highest figure on record. In 2011 there were 8,235 candidates and this increased to 13,014 in 2013.
“I am particularly pleased to see the significant growth in the number of students taking Higher Level Maths continue this year. There can be no doubt that the 25 additional bonus points available for those who achieve a D3 or higher has had a major impact, but the increase also reflects the introduction of the new Project Maths syllabus,” Minister Quinn said.
The numbers taking Higher Level Irish have increased from 14,358 in 2011 to 16,669 in 2013. This reflects the new increase in the proportion of marks for the oral exam – up from 25 per cent to 40 per cent. Minister Quinn also welcomed this significant increase.
“This Government is committed to increasing the capacity of our young people to know and love the Irish language. Our new policy, which now sees 50 per cent of all marks available for the oral and aural components of the exams, is clearly reaping dividends.”
Our Leaving Certificate reflects our changing society with a significant increase in the number of candidates for the Non-Curricular languages this year. Some 1,470 candidates opted for these languages in 2013 compared to 1,370 in 2012 with Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian the most popular.
In June there was concern about errors in the Mathematics papers. Account was taken by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in relation to these errors. Minister Quinn has just received a report from the SEC in relation to these errors, and will take a few days to consider the content of the report before making any further comment.
Minister Quinn continued, “Completion of the Leaving Certificate is the end of a very important phase of our young people’s lives. It is the start of a new beginning, filled with new opportunities – not only in further and higher education for the majority – but also in many other fields.”
While many will be awaiting the CAO announcements next week, the Minister would encourage those who may be disappointed with their results to consider the other options available to them, such as further education level 5 and 6 FETAC awards. These pathways offer great opportunities and also an alternative route to higher education, for students who take this route.
The number of candidates overall has decreased very slightly from 55,816 in 2012 to 55,572 in 2013. The results for most subjects, with the exceptions of Maths and Irish, are in line with previous years.
Minister Quinn concluded, “I hope you enjoy celebrating your results with your families and friends – you deserve to celebrate your achievements. Look out for each other tonight, and into the future.”
www.education.ie
World record attempt for the longest ever continuous conversation in Irish
August 13, 2013
This is the year of The Gathering but this year we are also celebrating ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’ with hundreds of events being hosted all over the country and abroad to celebrate our national language.
Since the retired GAA broadcaster and sports icon Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh officially launched Bliain na Gaeilge in Daingean Uí Chúis in west Kerry on New Year’s Eve hundreds of events have being hosting all around the country and abroad in recent months.
A wide range of international gatherings and local events running throughout Bliain na Gaeilge as well as seminars, concerts, sports, dance, literature readings, music and school events across the country will celebrate our language in a unique manner and now Irish speakers are facing a new challenge and the public are asked to come along and help set a new World record attempt for the longest ever continuous conversation in Irish.
Organizers of ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’ are organising ‘COMHRÁ 24/7‘, a world record attempt for the longest ever continuous conversation in Irish in the world as part of ‘Bliain na Gaeilge’!
People/groups can book an hour (or more)
Basically, various groups around the world are organising conversation circles in slots of one hour each and they will be included in the timetable for a NON-STOP conversation spanning a week from 29th September – 6th October 2013.
The chat will be streamed live on a particular web page and will allow the worldwide community to participate through twitter at #comhra247.
Organisers are looking for groups to take responsibility for the each hour slot (or more hours if a group wishes)
You can send the date and hour (or hours) that your group wants to book to comhra@cnag.ie or call +353 (0) 1 4757401
It would be a good idea to contact comhra@cnag.ie as soon as possible if you wish to book a specific hour (or more) for your group.
A full list of Bliain na Gaeilge events and activities is available on www.gaeilge2013.ie
You can get more information about Bliain na Gaeilge 2013 at www.facebook.com/gaeilge2013 or on Twitter @gaeilge2013.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Primary Pals – Afterschool Service in Irish, Firhouse
August 12, 2013
Oifigeach Gaeilge, Coláiste Phádraig
August 12, 2013
Straitéisí chun scileanna sóisialta tábhachtacha a mhúineadh do leanaí óga
August 9, 2013
Súil Siar – Saol na scoile
August 9, 2013
Ná milltear an samhradh fada buí
August 7, 2013
Naíonra subsidies cut
August 6, 2013
At the end of June, the Board of Foras na Gaeilge made a decision to discontinue the subsidy scheme for naíonraí which has been administered by Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta (FNT) since 1999.
In 2012, € 876,900 was provided to FNT to pay to individual naíonraí as part of the scheme, and in the first six months of this year €545,000 was awarded to FNT under the scheme but Foras na Gaeilge have now decided that no funding will be made available for the period July – December 2013. “A disastrous blow to the preschool sector” is how Clíona Frost, CEO of Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta has described the decision and says 31 positions are in jeopardy, and up to eight Naíonraí could potentially close as a direct result of the decision. According to FNT no advance notice was given to either FNT or Na Naíonraí Gaelacha, and they did not understand this item was even up for review by the Board, or that such an important decision was to be made. FNT claim it was not until they received their funding allocation for the period July – December 2013 at the end of June that the decision became apparent.
In a statement provided to Gaelport.com from Foras na Gaeilge it is stated that the scheme was under review for a number of years and officers of Foras na Gaeilge informed FNT at a meeting on 1 March 2013 that the item was being scrutinised and that there was a chance that the subsidy would not be paid in the July-December allocation of funding. Foras na Gaeilge state clearly that the decision was not made without advance warning and discussion. Foras na Gaeilge contend “double funding” was being provided as payments were also being received by naíonraí under the Government’s Early Childhood Care and Education scheme. Gaelport.com spoke to Rebecca Uí Bhruachail of Naíonra Thír na nÓg in Malahide, Co. Dublin. This naíonra provides services to ten children, and Ní Bhruachail explains that funding received under this scheme was used to pay for stationery, teaching aids, books, toys, and Irish lessons for staff. In total, this naíonra received €1,800 annually under the scheme.
Rebecca said: “When the naíonra closed at the start of the summer, we had two employees, but with these latest cuts, I will not be able to employ a second person. Under the Childcare Act 1996 two adults must always be in charge of the children, so therefore my choices are to find somebody who is willing to do this work voluntarily, or close the naíonra. It is as simple as that”. Catherine Allen is the Director of Naíonra na gCéimeanna Beaga in Westport, which caters for 22 children. This cut will mean a reduction €4,000 per year for the naíonra, and Catherine contends this will have a detrimental effect on the standard of the service. Catherine stated: “This subsidy used to allay some of the normal running costs of the naíonra; books, jigsaws, resources and classes for the staff. Our naíonra was only founded two years ago, and I took out a loan to found it. That loan has not yet been repaid. Every penny is important as I aim to provide the highest standard possible. Without this subsidy, one part-time position will go in September. Under the ECCE scheme, I cannot raise the fees for parents which leaves me snookered. I intend to continue for the next year, but I don’t know what I will do in the future. It is quite possible that I will have to close the naíonra”.
In the statement from Foras na Gaeilge it is stated that Foras na Gaeilge do not believe the subsidy to be critical to the sustainability of any naíonraí.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Tuarascáil ar fheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge foilsithe
August 6, 2013
Irish-medium education sets a high standard
August 6, 2013
IN his opinion piece on Irish-medium education (Comment, July 30), Danny Kinahan is unfairly dismissive of the role of Irish-medium schools in helping to create a truly integrated education system.
He rejects the many possibilities it affords for educational cooperation and plurality. Contrary to Mr Kinahan, I unequivocally state that Irish-medium schools are open to all parents and pupils who seek an excellent, bilingual educational experience. Regarding the question of whether Irish-medium schools deliver a quality education, the previous chief inspector’s report, under the previous assessment arrangements, shows that 83% of Irish-medium pupils achieved Level 4 or above in English Keystage 2 assessments. It also showed 79% achieved a similar standard in maths, out-performing their peers in English-medium schools. This trend continues under the new assessment arrangements.
I challenge Mr Kinahan’s defeatist presumption that the low percentage of pupils from a Protestant background at Irish-medium schools won’t change. If anything, the argument should be made that the percentage will increase, particularly following the growth of Gaelic-medium education in Scotland where the vast majority of pupils are Protestant. This refutes the assertion that there is a lack of interest or a disconnect among the Protestant community. Our view is that demand for this new, vital and dynamic sector will increase across all sections of the community when parents become more aware of the choices available to them. Prince Charles has spoken passionately about the Gaelic language, acknowledging not only its cultural and linguistic benefits. A truly shared vision for education should not pigeon-hole entire sectors and pander to the ‘them-and-us’ mentality.
I challenge Mr Kinahan to play a positive role in ensuring that language is never perceived as a political weapon, rather that it can be enjoyed and learned by all for the many benefits it offers to children – bilingualism, cognitive advantages, greater tolerance and cultural awareness.
DR MICHEAL O DUIBH
Chief executive, Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
