Which school?
January 6, 2017
That time again. This week parents will be putting in applications for places in different types of schools. It is a difficult decision. I have wide experience in schools both here in Ireland and in Scotland and I have to say that it would be difficult to find any better than the English medium schools here in Derry with regard to educational standards and the enthusiasm of the teachers. So I would not order a parent ‘Send your child to an Irish medium school.’ Parents should discuss the matter and come to a sensible decision. I know I am biased, but I would say that a Gaelscoil has advantages that other schools do not have. The website gaelscoileanna.ie points out some of these advantages, for example, according to research, bilingual children are more attentive, they are better at undertaking tasks, and they have more effective listening and communication skills.
Irish medium primary schools in Derry do very well despite one huge disadvantage: the three of them are accommodated in temporary buildings, although the parents are fighting hard to change that situation. Parents are very supportive of Irish nursery education in the city. Two out of the three nursery schools have taken in maximum numbers over the past few years.
The same can be said of post-primary education in Derry as has been said about primary education: first rate facilities and first rate teachers in every school. Parents must choose the school most suited to their child’s needs. Children who have been studying in an Irish medium school and who wish to continue learning through Irish are very fortunate. The Irish medium stream in Saint Brigid’s College is going from strength to strength. It is accommodated in a modern building in a progressive school under the direction of a highly experienced staff.
Incidentally, Irish medium education is also advancing in Inishowen. At present, Charlie Mc Connelogue TD is putting pressure on the Minister of Education to locate an Irish nursery school, primary school and secondary school on the one site in Buncrana.
Read more at: http://www.derryjournal.com/news/opinion/cen-scoil-1-7759857
Montessori to bid for patronage of primary school
January 5, 2017
The race for control of a new primary school in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, due to open next September, is hotting up.
St Nicholas Montessori Society, which runs a teacher training college and a small private school in the south Dublin town, has announced that it plans to bid for patronage. “This is a new departure for us”, St Nicholas director Ian McKenna said. “We have a waiting list and we haven’t got the capacity to take them.”
He said the board of trustees saw it as an opportunity to establish a primary school, based on Montessori principles, within the State system. Mr McKenna said changes to the primary curriculum in recent years brought it closer to the Montessori model.
The St Nicholas school is based on the Montessori teaching philosophy and has 120 pupils from pre-school up to sixth class. Annual fees are €2,800 for three to four year olds and €3,475 for older pupils. The proposed new school will have 16 classrooms, with two classes for each year. The Education Department is planning for an intake of 27 for each of two junior infant streams next September.
Fees
If St Nicholas Montessori School was awarded patronage, it would have to stop charging school fees, but Mr McKenna said a benefit being within the State system would be that it would qualify for funding from the Education Department.
Dún Laoghaire is the location for one of three new primary schools opening in September 2017 for which Education Minister Richard Bruton invited potential patrons to apply. There is already keen competition for the school. Other patron bodies quick to announce their bids include Educate Together, Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board, for a community national school, and An Foras Pátrúnachta, which runs Irish-medium schools.
Parental preference is a key factor in the decision-making process and the Education Department has given patrons until January 6 to submit their applications. Patrons are now asking parents to sign up to them. The Education Department will announce the outcome of the process in February.
Mr McKenna said all the patron bodies did “fantastic work”, but St Nicholas wanted to offer parents another option. The St Nicholas school, which has been running for more than 35 years, describes itself as multi-denominational, with a Christian ethos.
Irish medium education going from strength to strength in Limavady
January 3, 2017
Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Léim an Mhadaidh, Limavady’s Irish medium pre-school and primary school, have reached a “massive milestone” in school development. Principal, Mrs Charmaine Deery, says they’re “going from strength to strength” with 100 pupils being educated through the medium of Irish (101 to be exact) not to mention those in the school’s three-year-old programme.
Mrs Deery said she is delighted for her staff, governors, parents and pupils. “We have come so far in just seven years,” she said. “Who would have thought that the little Gaelscoil in Limavady that opened its doors in 2010 with just six pupils would be celebrating such success in 2016?”
Mrs Deery said phase three of the Gaelscoil will begin in January 2017. The school community is also celebrating gaining two new classrooms, a new car-park and playground facilities. “This year will see the first pupils who entered the doors in September 2010 leave and move on to post-primary education,” said Mrs Deery. The school currently provides ‘Out of School’ care for pupils whose parents work full-time. The club is part funded and is fully registered with the WHSCT.
Gaelscoil Léim an Mhadaidh is the second Irish medium school to train with ‘Roots of Empathy’, Canada in delivering a new innovative programme to develop children’s attitudes to others and develop them as loving, caring contributors to society. It is delivered in several countries worldwide. Mrs Deery said: “This growth is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and the school’s reputation in the Limavady community. “Parents are very supportive and we appreciate each and every one of them who have helped us get to where we are today. Our kids are happy, well mannered and very hardworking. “I am very proud of our success and look forward to the future of Irish medium education here in Limavady.”
(Gaeilge) Leasú reachtaíochta ó Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre chun polasaithe iontrála scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge a chosaint
December 19, 2016
Schools’ high achievements celebrated at Stormont
December 15, 2016
THE fastest-growing education sector in the north has had the achievements of its schools celebrated at Stormont.
Three Gaelscoileanna (primary schools), three Naíscoileanna (nursery schools) and one Irish language post-primary were honoured.
The Irish -medium schools were among those who attained the highest level for overall effectiveness in recent inspections by the Education and Training Inspectorate.
They included Gaelscoil an Chaistil in Ballycastle, Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh in Belfast and the Irish-medium unit at St Francis’ PS in Lurgan.
St Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore’s Irish-medium unit was also honoured alongside three nursery providers, Naíscoil Chois Locha in Lurgan, Naíscoil Charn Tóchair in Maghera and Naíscoil Ghleann Darach in Crumlin.
Liam Ó Flannagáin, chief executive of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, the statutory body for the promotion of Irish-medium education, said the awards were welcome recognition for the endeavours of all the schools involved.
“These awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with these schools, and underline the huge improvement in standards in the Irish-medium sector over the past few years,” he said.
“This, together with the record numbers of parents now choosing Irish-medium education for their children, in over 80 settings across the north, means that the future is bright for the region’s fastest-growing education sector.”
Sonia Nic Giolla Easbuig, chair of Naíscoil Charn Tóchair said all associated with the school were delighted to receive recognition.
“The high standard achieved in Naíscoil Charn Tóchair is as a result of the hard work and dedication of the staff and parents involved with the school throughout the years,” she said.
“The naíscoil opened its doors over 30 years ago and since then has been an integral part of the Carntogher community. This community has a deep respect and grá for the Irish language and culture that stands out amongst other rural communities.
“There is an Irish saying `Ár scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine’ meaning `people survive better together’ and Naíscoil Charn Tóchair and its local community illustrate this in abundance.”
Education minister Peter Weir said all schools represented had demonstrated examples of the best practise that exists in many educational settings.
“These institutions, identified through the inspection process by the Education and Training Inspectorate are delivering this best practise to children and young people, including those with special educational needs, from the very important early years through to post-16 study and also outside school provision,” he said.
“There are many excellent and highly dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that our children and young people receive the high quality education they deserve and I commend teachers, principals, school governors, pre-school leaders, youth workers, teaching assistants, parents and indeed the wider school community for their professionalism and commitment.”
The Irish News
Gerry Adams: DUP must step up on Irish language
December 8, 2016
Gerry Adams has challenged the DUP to live up to its responsibilities in government to the Irish language.
The Sinn Féin President was speaking today at the Sinn Féin Irish language event Slógadh taking place in Richmond Barracks, Dublin.
“There are very real and justifiable concerns amongst the Irish language community relating to the absence of an Irish language strategy from the draft Programme for Government in the north,” he told the audience. “The reality is that the DUP has so far not agree to its inclusion.”
“Despite the continuous opposition of the leaders of Unionism, Sinn Féin have delivered considerably for the Irish language in government – through negotiations and through our departments the north. Sinn Féin Ministers have consistently improved the condition of Irish medium education. We have supported Acht na Gaeilge and have continuously called on both the Irish and British governments to fulfil the commitments made in the St. Andrew’s Agreement.
“Carál Ní Chuilín brought an Irish language strategy to the Executive in the last term, but it was rejected by the DUP and UUP.”
Last month Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accused the DUP of “hatred” towards the language after education minister Peter Weir took the decision to cease the Department of Education policy of translating official correspondence into Gaelic.
Gerry Adams said despite the oppososition they would continue to promote the language.
“In relation to the recent Programme for Government, we were successful in including a commitment to an tAcadamh, taking forward the Gaeltacht Quarter Action Plan and securing an acknowledgement of the importance of Gaeilge to our cultural heritage.
“We tried to get agreement on the inclusion of an Irish language strategy right up to the close of negotiations and we recognise the frustrations of the Irish language community regarding its absence. I share those frustrations, and it is crucially important that the voice of Pobal na Gaeilge is heard.
“We must demand that the DUP steps up to the plate, and acknowledges that Irish identity, culture and the Irish language are as equal and valid as any other cultural background and must be treated as such. That respect must be reflected in government. It also means respecting and assisting Gaelscoileanna develop and to reach their full potential as a sector that positively contributes to society and to the lives of thousands of citizens.
“There is a real need now for a collective recognition that an Gaeilge is an asset to our nation and communities, and organisations are equipped with the means of growing use the language. Unionist leaders must acknowledge that the Irish language is not a threat to anyone.”
Two more Irish school proposals rejected by DUP minister
December 8, 2016
TWO new proposals to expand the Irish-language schools sector have been rejected by the education minister.
Peter Weir turned down separate bids to establish publicly-funded Irish-medium units in Derry and Kilkeel.
Since becoming minister in May, the DUP politician has now rejected five out of six `development proposals’ concerning the Irish-medium sector.
Campaigners voiced concern in the summer when they pointed out that his party promised in its assembly election manifesto to “tackle the preferential treatment” of Irish-medium schooling.
Since then, Mr Weir has rejected a pre-school unit at Gaelscoil na Daroige in Derry due to other schools nearby, dismissed a bid for a part-time nursery unit at Bunscoil an Iuir in Newry, and told Gaelscoil an Lonnain it can not relocate to the former St Comghall’s PS in west Belfast.
The two most recent decisions involved schools in the north west and Co Down.
Gaelscoil na mBeann in Kilkeel wanted to open a fully grant-aided Irish-medium nursery unit from September 1 this year.
A pre-school, Naíscoil na mBeann, opened in 2007 and has offered funded places since 2009. It is housed in a mobile unit on a shared site with Gaelscoil na mBeann.
Both have grown in popularity. Numbers at the primary have risen from 20 to 58.
While the nursery receives some government money, full grant-aided status would have helped it cover all staffing costs as well as being able to afford maintenance.
Rejecting the proposal, Mr Weir said “demand for pre-school places in the area is currently being met”.
On the same day, a proposal for the establishment of an Irish-medium unit at St Brigid’s College in Derry was turned down.
Its approval would have meant Irish-medium secondary education returning to the city after an absence of almost a decade.
In 2008, then education minister Caitríona Ruane agreed to the closure of Colaiste Bhríde. Pupil intakes at the school – also known as Meánscoil Dhoire – were small and there was no prospect of recovery.
In reaching his decision, Mr Weir said he was mindful of his statutory duties towards Irish-medium education but was “concerned at the detrimental impact such a proposal would have on existing Irish-medium provision at Gaelcholáiste Dhoire which would threaten the long term sustainability of the school”.
Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in Dungiven, Co Derry opened this year to 16 pupils, but is starting to grow quickly. It is hoped it will cater for 400 young people.
St Brigid’s confirmed it had received Mr Weir’s decision, and said the school was determined to continue with its provision for Irish-medium education.
Mr Weir will next year make a decision on a separate proposal for a stand-alone 400-pupil Irish-language secondary school in Derry.
It is hoped the new Year 8-14 school – to be known as An Bradán Feasa – will open by September 2017. The former army base at Ebrington in the Waterside has been identified as a potential site.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta said there was “clear demand from parents for a standalone IM post-primary school which will cater exclusively for those children who have attended IM primary schools”.
Minister rejects proposals to develop Irish Medium Unit at Derry school
December 7, 2016
Education Minister Peter Weir has rejected proposals to set up an Irish Medium Unit at St Brigid’s College in the Carnhill area of Derry.
In reaching his decision, Mr Weir said he was “mindful” of his statutory duties towards Irish medium education.
He also said he was concerned at the “detrimental impact” such a proposal would have on existing Irish medium provision at Gaelcholaiste Dhoire which would threaten the long term sustainability of the school.
Mr Weir added: “Effective Area Planning of Irish medium provision requires development proposals to be brought forward in a co-ordinated and strategic manner that take full account of all relevant considerations.
“Unfortunately, this has not happened in this instance, with the resultant fragmented approach to the planning of Irish medium provision in the area.”
Mr Weir added while he recognised there was a potential for growth in the sector, a “robust case” must be presented, producing a “sustainable and viable solution” for the provision of post-primary Irish medium education to children in Derry and the surrounding area.
He concluded: “This area solution should be consistent with strategic priorities for action set out in the draft EA Area Plan for 2017-2020 ‘Providing Pathways’ which is open for public consultation until 12 December 2016.”
Irish-medium secondary schooling is increasingly popular
December 6, 2016
Benefits of bilingual education include enhanced creative and divergent thinking
One distinctive feature of the annually published schools data set is the proportion of Irish language schools that consistently rank prominently at the upper end of the tables.
This year, for example, three Irish-medium schools feature in the top 10 list of all secondary schools. Galway’s Coláiste na Coiribe comes at the very top of the list as the school with the highest rate of students progressing to third level.
Coláiste Íde, Dingle, is ninth in the list while Coláiste Eoin, Stillorgan, comes in at 10th. Add Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ and four of the top 10 schools listed as non-fee paying schools also happen to be Irish-medium schools.
This apparent overrepresentation of Irish-medium schools in the feeder schools list seems to be out of kilter with their overall number. Of the 735 secondary schools registered with the Department of Education in 2016, just 48 are fully Irish-medium.
So why this overrepresentation? The benefits of bilingual education are well-documented and are clearly not lost on parents, many of whom are increasingly choosing this option for their children.
Decades of applied educational and linguistic research have deepened our understanding of the benefits of bilingualism and bilingual education. Bilinguals have been shown to be more flexible in their thinking and more adept at thinking about how they use language to make themselves understood. Bilingual speakers have also been shown to be more effective at creative and divergent thinking.
A 2011 study published by the University of Limerick found that learning mathematics through the medium of Irish at primary level may enhance long-term mathematical understanding and attainment in English-medium second-level education.
In 2014, a study of 18,000 Spanish-speaking students carried out by Stanford University in the San Francisco area found that students in classrooms taught in two languages not only catch up with their English immersion counterparts but eventually surpass them both academically and linguistically.
Literacy in the first language makes learning second and subsequent languages much easier. In Ireland, where English is the dominant societal language, interest in bilingual education continues to grow, as evidenced by a rise in enrolment at Irish language schools.
According to the latest data from the Department of Education and Skills, 24,668 students were registered as receiving their education through Irish at secondary level in 2015/2016.
This is an increase of 900 students on the 23,768 registered in the previous academic year.
Increasing interest
This increasing interest has also been recorded in wider society. Census data shows almost 1.66 million people, aged three years and over, were able to speak Irish in 2006 compared with 1.57 million in 2002. According to Census 2011, the number of people who declared they can speak Irish increased by 7.1 per cent since 2006.
Despite this growth in interest, the Irish language education sector faces barriers that are unique to it in the context of the wider education sector.
About 8 per cent of primary schools now teach through the medium of Irish while secondary schools that teach in Irish account for about 6 per cent.
Campaigners have long argued the school selection process is skewed against those who wish to make a case for new Irish-medium post-primary schools on the basis that they cannot numerically compete with English-language schools in strictly-defined catchment areas.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, general secretary of the Irish language patron an Foras Pátrúnachta says the biggest obstacle faced by the sector “is addressing the demand that we have for this type of education”.
“All parents want to provide their children with the best possible education. There is an increased understanding amongst parents that Irish-medium education provides children with academic, cognitive and social benefits that are unparalleled. These benefits coupled with students who become fluent as Gaeilge makes it a very attractive option,” he says.
Of the top 10 non fee-paying schools whose students progress to third-level education, four are Gaelcholáistí or Irish language schools. They are the aforementioned Coláiste na Coiribe in Galway, Coláiste Íde in Co Kerry, Coláiste Eoin in Co Dublin and Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ in Limerick.
Gaeltacht planning process officially commences in Donegal
December 6, 2016
The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne has announced today that he has published a notice in relation to the Gaeltacht Language Planning Area for Donegal.
The Minister of State said: “This notice officially commences the language planning process in this area. This means that 23 notices have been made to date with only three remaining. This is another step forward in the implementation of the language planning process in the Gaeltacht.”
A period of up to two months from (November 25, 2016) is afforded to organisations to apply to Údarás na Gaeltachta to be selected for the planning and implementation of a language plan in the area concerned. This means that organisations will have until January 25, 2017 to submit applications to Údarás na Gaeltachta.
A period of up to two years will be given from the date on which Údarás na Gaeltachta selects the organisation to submit a language plan to the Department for assessment in line with the prescribed language planning criteria.
Following that, the organisation will have a period of seven years to implement the language plan with assistance from Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Department will periodically review the implementation of the plan during that seven year period.
