Benefit of Irish-medium education is there for all
July 25, 2013
It’s mistaken to present Irish-medium education as a barrier to shared schooling. In fact, the opposite is the case, writes Micheal O Duibh
Currently, 6% of Irish-medium primary schools are within the controlled sector, 22% within the Catholic maintained sector and 72% within the other maintained sector, showing that education through Irish can be a choice for everyone.
In the context of a shared future, the question has been asked if we can have integrated schools in the Irish-medium sector.
The truth is that 72% of all Irish-medium primary schools are independent, outside of the controlled or Catholic-maintained sector and have pupils from Catholic, Protestant and other backgrounds.
International research shows that bilingual pupils have a greater tolerance of other cultures, something which is most relevant to the principles of shared education.
Research commissioned by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (Deni) has indicated that Irish-medium children were more open to cultural diversity. It is wrong to present the option of Irish-medium education as a barrier to advancing shared education; the opposite is true.
Irish-medium education is an innovative way of advancing shared education, making schools sustainable and providing pupils with the advantages of bilingualism.
The choice of Irish-medium is a linguistic choice, which can be catered for within any sector. It should, therefore, not be a surprise to learn the Irish-medium sector wishes to share immersion education with more communities.
Its representative body, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, provides support to communities that express an interest in Irish-medium education. It believes that, through the establishment of various school settings that meet different community needs, education through Irish for all communities is possible.
As such, there is a strong case for the establishment of Irish-medium units within controlled schools, for converting English-medium controlled schools to Irish-medium controlled schools, or consideration of federated models between Irish-medium and English-medium. This could answer a number of challenging questions facing schools in the controlled sector.
Schooling through Irish, at its simplest, involves the delivery of the curriculum through Irish. An Irish-medium setting can deliver the six criteria mentioned in Deni’s sustainable schools policy:
- Quality educational experience – Irish-medium provision within the school would ensure a quality educational experience, increasing pupils’ understanding of language, enhancing reading, writing, aural and oral abilities, while offering the other advantages of bilingualism
- Stable enrolment trends – Irish-medium education could attract more pupils from across communities and ensure stable enrolment
- Sound financial position –Schools could benefit from premiums for Irish-medium providers and shared education
- Strong leadership and management – Irish-medium provision within a school provides those involved with a chance to display dynamic leadership and management
- Accessibility – Irish-medium provision could be a strong asset in enhancing a school’s accessibility to all communities
- Strong links with community – Irish-medium provision would strengthen links with all members of the community and encourage greater cultural understanding.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta welcomes all communities to consider Irish-medium education for their children, so that they can be part of a global society where the vast majority speak two languages.
Irish-medium education offers a system which improves children’s skills in English and Irish, making them more tolerant while also providing the skills to learn further languages with greater ease.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Campa Samhraidh 2013 i gCeatharlach
July 23, 2013
Setback for Gaelic as number of new pupils rises by just 28
July 18, 2013
THE scale of the challenge to reverse Gaelic’s decline is underlined by news that only 6% of the six-year target for pupils entering Gaelic medium education has been achieved.
The Government-funded Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s (BnG) said the main aim of its National Gaelic Language Plan until 2017 is to increase in the number of pupils entering the first year of Gaelic medium primary schools from 400 to 800. However, the figure had risen by only 28, or 6%, between 2012/2013.
BnG, the official development body, has seen a 16% increase in number of children in Gaelic Education between the ages of three and five, which raises hopes of improvements in future years.
It is seen as vital that the popularity of Gaelic medium education grows to replace the elderly Gaels who are dying.
All Gaelic bodies and enthusiasts are currently waiting for the results of the 2011 census due to be published in the coming months, which will show whether the serious overall loss of speakers has been stemmed by the effort and investment in the last decade.
The 2001 census confirmed the language is still in decline with the number of speakers falling by 11% over 10 years to a figure of 58,650. The figure was 92,400 when those who had some Gaelic language ability are included.
Chief executive John Angus MacKay said: “There is no denying we are aiming high in seeking to double the number of children entering Gaelic-medium education by 2017, but we welcome the challenge as it is the most certain way towards stabilising and growing the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland.” He said that over the last two years the Bòrd had implemented strategic campaigns promoting Gaelic-medium education.
“We are now beginning to see results in growth in the numbers of children in pre-school and primary Gaelic-medium education. We have also intensified our promotional efforts to encourage Gaelic teacher recruitment and retention,” Mr MacKay added.
Scotland has three Gaelic Medium Education (GME) schools in Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh and a further 58 schools which offer GME along with English-medium education. Three more GME schools are planned to open by 2017 in Fort William, Portree and one on the south side of Glasgow.
The Minister for Scotland’s Languages, Alasdair Allan, said: “The Bòrd has set out clear and ambitious targets for the coming years that will deliver Gaelic events and learning opportunities across Scotland. Recent work has clearly demonstrated the level of interest and the growing demand for Gaelic and shows its role as a vital part of people’s everyday lives as well as a lynchpin in our culture and identity.”
Meanwhile, BnG reported that 17 organisations had agreed plans to promote Gaelic in their work. They ranged from the likes of NHS Highland and NHS Western Isles which might have been expected to be supportive, to Falkirk and North Lanarkshire councils.
Creative Scotland and Skills Development Scotland are also on board as are universities and the National Gallery/Museums/Library of Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park Authority is also included. Some 73% of BnG’s £5.1 million funding from the Scottish Government was spent supporting 258 bodies, projects and initiatives supporting the language.
www.heraldscotland.com
Comhcheilg Pháirc an Chrócaigh
July 18, 2013
Ulster GAA launches scholarships
July 18, 2013
Gaeilge sa Chlub (‘Irish in the Club’) is a major sponsorship programme for adult students of the Irish language and will provide financial assistance to GAA members who sign up for the Diploma in Irish Language course at the University of Ulster.
Dr Malachy Ó Néill, Head of School of Irish Language and Literature at Ulster, welcomed the ‘pioneering’ scheme.
He said: “This is a significant investment by Ulster GAA in club members throughout the province. “There is a growing appreciation of increased employability for Irish language graduates and this pioneering project is in keeping with the ethos of the GAA and the current DCAL initiative for Líofa 2015.”
Martin McAviney, President of Ulster GAA, added: “This initiative enhances the existing strong links between Comhairle Uladh and the University of Ulster, developing the current sporting partnership with a new cultural and linguistic dimension.”
The two-year (part-time) course is currently available at Belfast and Magee campuses with university outcentres at Cookstown, Ranafast and Downings. It runs for three months in the autumn and three months in the spring and classes are taught in each centre on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Donegal All-Ireland winning footballer Éamonn McGee, who graduated with the Diploma in Irish Language earlier this week, gave the scheme his backing. “The Diploma was a real game-changer for me – now I’m starting the degree in September. The part-time course is ideal for someone with a busy lifestyle.”
Ryan Feeney, Head of Community Development, Strategy and Public Affairs with Ulster GAA, spoke of the importance of this scheme at community level. He said it would both empower individuals and enrich communities.
“This scholarship scheme is an investment in GAA volunteers at grassroots level and will enable many people to achieve a university qualification in Irish, developing their own career prospects and enriching their communities.”
Further information is available from Mrs Ros O’Hagan in the School of Irish Language and Literature: r.ohagan1@ulster.ac.uk or 028 7167 5277.
To apply for the Gaeilge sa Chlub scholarship scheme you should forward your contact details to Dónal McAnallen, Culture Education & Outreach Officer with Ulster GAA: donal.mcanallen.ulster@gaa.ie or 028 3752 1900.
www.derryjournal.com
Cúis na teanga le cur chun cinn trí dhífhostaíocht
July 17, 2013
Stádas choláiste tríú leibhéal bronnta ar Ghaelchultúr i mBaile Átha Cliath
July 17, 2013
Third video hit in a month for Irish college Colaiste Lurgan
July 17, 2013
Colaiste Lurgan has had it’s third video hit in as many weeks with an rendition of the Lion King’s ‘Circle of Life’ as Gaeilge.
The college has gained massive exposure for the Irish language recently, giving several popular songs an Irish language make-over. The college’s previous viral videos include Irish language versions of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ and Anna Kendrick’s ‘Cup Song’ from the popular film Pitch Perfect. The Irish language summer college first hit headlines with their cover of ‘Some Nights’ by FUN, which earned over 140,000 views on the video sharing website YouTube. Colaiste Lurgan have a well-populated YouTube account, active for over two years with uploads of students recreating popular song as Gaeilge, and various organised events like the Festival of Colour. The channel has a total of 1.1 million views and over 3,000 subscribers.
www.irishindependent.ie
Coláiste na Carraige Reunion this weekend
July 12, 2013
There is an air of excitement and anticipation in Coláiste na Carraige and surrounding areas as momentum grows for this weekend’s Reunion Celebrations.
Central to these celebrations is the launch of Coláiste na Carraige’s first book, Scéal Scoile 1950 – 2013, in Coláiste na Carraige tomorrow night (Friday, July 12) at 8pm.
This book, which records the history of the school, features contributions from students and staff past and present. The history of the school has its origins in the early years of the Irish State. The first Gaeltacht Commission Report was produced in 1926 and among the many proposals was the identification of Carrick as the location for a second level school to serve the Slieve League peninsula.
However, it would be nearly 19 years later before any further progress would be made with this idea. On August 6,1944, at a meeting of the Carrick Parish Council, John Maloney, who was then the owner of Ostan Shliabh a’ Liag, proposed that the “attention of the Minister for Education be drawn to the Gaeltacht Commission Report of 19 years ago, where it was recommended that a Technical School be established in Carrick.” It took until 1950 before the first pupils – twelve boys – were enrolled but the story has grown into one that our founders would be very proud of.
So, in the year of the Gathering it is indeed appropriate to mark the achievements of Coláiste na Carraige with a publication that gives past, present and future pupils a sense of perspective on the 63 years of excellence and the many achievements to date.
Scéal Scoile 1950 – 2013 charts the progress of the school down through the generations. It contains many interesting and wonderful stories from many pupils, staff and members of the school community, past and present, who have contributed to the school. The book is a celebration of what makes Coláiste na Carraige a most unique school.
Copies will be available at the launch night and over the weekend. This book is a one off publication with a limited print run, so be sure to get your copy early by contacting cnc@donegalvec.ie.
Other events over the weekend include: a display of photographs and memorabilia in the school Saturday 12-6pm and Sunday 12-2pm; a reunion dinner dance in the Blue Haven on Saturday night (Tickets from the school on 973 9071, from Barry Mc Shane, Colette Mc Devitt, James Byrne or Patricia Murrin, or from Carrick Tourist office); and a reunion Mass on Sunday 14th at 11am in Carrick.
There are many other events planned for the weekend, which promises to be one to remember for all past and present, students and staff of Coláiste na Carraige.
We extend a warm welcome to everyone for these special events. All proceeds from the weekend will go towards school funds.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 12 Iúil 2013
Donegal Democrat
670 primary schools in Northern Ireland set to lose millions in minister’s reform plan
July 12, 2013
Four out of five primary schools will be financially worse off under proposed plans by the Department of Education to change the way they are funded.
At a time when many schools are already under threat through the controversial area planning process aimed at rationalising the schools’ estate, figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph show 670 of 832 primary schools could have less money to spend on teachers, classroom assistants and resources from 2014-15 — if the reforms are rubberstamped.
There are fears that the proposed changes — currently out for public consultation — will lead to teacher redundancies, bigger class sizes and more school closures as schools struggle to balance the books.
Some schools will see more than £40,000 slashed from their funding every year — more than a teacher’s salary. Former principal Sean Rodgers and the SDLP’s education spokesman has warned class sizes could soar to 36.
The biggest losers include St Colman’s Primary, Lisburn (£44,412); St Anne’s, Belfast (£40,538) and Ballyholme, Bangor (£35,121) — who will each have more than £100,000 less to spend over a three-year period.
Mr Rodgers, who is also on the board of governors of a primary school, said at Wednesday’s education committee: “I know the cuts that we have to make for our three-year projection, and I really worry about that.
“You might say that 1% does not make a big difference, but, if 1% is £8,000 or £9,000, over three years that will mean the loss of a teacher. It will mean increasingly large classes, more composite classes and whatever else.”
If the proposed changes to the common funding scheme/formula — how schools are funded — are given the green light by minister John O’Dowd, they could have a particularly detrimental impact on schools in rural areas, according to projected budgets based on 2013-14 pupil numbers.
Every school has been given a copy of what their new budget figures could be under the proposed changes, but they do not show the actual monetary difference. The North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) area will be the worst hit with nine out of 10 schools set to lose money as £1.1m is wiped off its budget.
Both the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) and South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) will see 85% of their schools’ impacted while the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) will have 82% of its schools affected. Yet in comparison just one in three schools in the Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) will be worse off as millions of pounds of additional funding is poured into schools in the capital.
The minister wants to see the changes brought in so more funding is directed to schools in areas of social disadvantage. Speaking at the last education committee before the summer recess, John McGrath, deputy permanent secretary of the department, said: “I think that it is important to outline again why the minister considered it necessary to review the way in which schools are funded.
“He was not satisfied that the common funding scheme, as it sits, is fit for purpose. He does not believe that the current scheme adequately supports his key policy objectives, particularly those of raising standards and targeting social need.”
But he admitted: “Putting more money into TSN (targeting social need) factors gives a significant skew to schools with high numbers of pupils in receipt of free school meals, and some schools will lose out… they may well not have a future, but it would take two or three years for that to happen.”
Mervyn Storey, chairman of the education committee, warned: “The latest attempt by the minister and Department of Education to fix the funding problems of our education system is disappointing at best and discriminatory at worst.
“The consultation exercise appears to pitch school against school with large numbers ending up as losers in the process.
“Surely there is something wrong with a revised formula which, if implemented, would result in excess of 80% of the primary schools being losers.
STORY SO FAR
Education Minister John O’Dowd made a statement to the Assembly ‘Putting Pupils First: Reforming the Common Funding Scheme’, which determines how funds are allocated to schools, on June 11.
In the statement he said that the department would consult on his proposed changes to the common funding scheme. The consultation was launched on June 26 and will run until October 18 to give schools, individuals and organisations time to consider the proposals over the summer holidays. The changes are due to come into effect in 2014-15.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 12 Iúil 2013
Belfast Telegraph – Lindsay Fergus
