Minister Quinn announces details of grants to establish school book rental schemes in primary schools
January 9, 2014
€15 million to be made available over three years to primary schools who do not currently have book rental schemes
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today revealed plans to ensure that every primary school in the country has a book rental scheme in operation.
These plans are aimed at reducing school expenses for parents and form part of Minister Quinn’s wider agenda to tackle high costs associated with school.
As part of Budget 2014, Minister Quinn announced that he had secured €15 million to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools which do not currently operate them. This money is to be used as seed capital to allow primary schools to set up such book loan schemes.
The Department of Education and Skills asked all primary schools in October last if they operated a book rental scheme. More than 80 per cent indicated they have a book rental scheme in operation.
Speaking at Presentation Primary School in Warrenmount, Dublin 8, the Minister commended the schools, such as Warrenmount, which already have such schemes in place.
“I am delighted to see that so many of our primary schools have taken the initiative to establish book rental schemes. They are already helping parents to drive down the cost of books,” he said.
“The funds that I have secured will now be directed towards those schools who have not yet set up such schemes so that all parents, no matter where their children go to school, have an opportunity to reduce the costs of going to school.”
Schools are now being invited by letter to apply for a grant to establish book rental schemes, subject to the criteria set out below. The deadline for applications is the 31st of January.
It is expected that qualifying DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools will receive €150 per child over three years, while non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child.
Schools will be informed by the end of Spring on the outcome of their application and grants are expected to be made available by May to give schools ample time to purchase textbooks and set up the rental schemes in time for the new school year.
The DES published “Guidelines for Developing Textbook Rental Schemes in Schools” in January 2013 as a toolkit for schools. Schools which operate such schemes can save parents up to 80 per cent of the cost of buying new books.
Minister Quinn concluded, “It is my aim to ensure that every primary school in the country has a book rental scheme. Therefore, I’m targeting schools with no schemes initially as to include all primary schools would mean that the funding would be so diluted that it would have little impact. But, should more funds become available I would like to extend the grants to others.”
The Department will continue to provide a book grant to all primary schools. This grant, which provided €7 million to primary schools in 2013, can be used to update or expand existing book rental schemes.
The eligibility criteria for funding under the Seed Capital Grant Scheme for Book Loan/Rental Schemes is as follows:
(a) The school authorities must undertake to establish a textbook loan/rental scheme (covering either hard copy or electronic books) for the main textbooks used by the students in accordance with best practice contained in the Guidelines for Developing TextbookRental Schemes in Schools for a minimum of 5 years. A book loan/rental scheme will normally have to achieve a life of approximately five years for each textbook, for it to break even.
(b) The school must confirm that it did not operate a school textbook loan/rental scheme in the school year 2013/14.
(c) The school must agree to maintain and furnish financial and other records regarding the establishment, maintenance and operation of the textbook loan/rental scheme to the Department, on request. All funding provided will be used exclusively for the purposes of establishing a textbook loan/rental scheme.
Existing funding provided to schools for books:
The book grant is paid to all recognised primary schools and all post-primary schools within the Free Education Scheme, with DEIS schools receiving an enhanced rate. It is paid in June each year for the following school year. For both 2012 and 2013, €15 million was ring-fenced for the programme.
www.education.ie
Minister Quinn increases powers of Teaching Council to deal with underperforming teachers
January 9, 2014
Amendments to legislation will see new sanctions available to the Teaching Council
The Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is moving to significantly increase the powers available to the Teaching Council, the regulatory body for teachers.
Under amended legislation, which is due to go to the Oireachtas, the Teaching Council will have a range of new sanctions at its disposal to deal with poor and under-performing teachers. Up until now, a teacher had to be deemed “unfit to teach” before the Teaching Council could impose any sanctions.
The Teaching Council will be able to impose sanctions that are consistent with the seriousness of findings against a teacher. These will range from advice, admonishment or censure to suspension or removal from the Teaching Council’s register.
With the commencement of Section 30 from January 28th also, all teachers must be registered with the Teaching Council in order to be paid by out of public funds. Therefore if a teacher is suspended or removed from the register, they cannot be paid by the Department or the Education and Training Boards
Up until now, the range of sanctions that the Teaching Council might impose following a fitness to teach inquiry are:
(a) Removal from the register for a specified period
(b) Suspension from the register up to 2 years
(c) Retained on the register subject to all or any of the following conditions:
- that the teacher seek the assistance of a service relating to teacher health and welfare
- that the teacher attend a specified professional development course
- such other conditions as the Disciplinary Committee thinks fit.
It is proposed to add a further sanction of advice, admonishment, or a censure in writing to the range of sanctions available to the Council.
Minister Quinn said, “The new sanctions available to the Teaching Council are more in line with those available to other professional regulators such as the Medical Council or An Bord Altranais. The operation by the Council of robust fitness to teach procedures is important for the public and teachers so that they have full confidence in the teaching profession. This is a further positive step in the full professionalisation of teaching.”
“The vast majority of teachers in our classrooms perform well. But for the small minority who do not, I believe that the Teaching Council will now have at its disposal the right tools to deal with cases of serious misconduct and to improve and assist poorly performing teachers.”
“I also believe that these new powers to investigate allegations of misconduct and underperformance will mean that parents have a method of having genuine complaints about teaching standards investigated.”
Under the new legislation, teachers will also be able to appeal any refusal of renewal of registration by the Teaching Council to the High Court.
The legislation is expected to be published shortly.
www.education.ie
Comórtas Griangrafadóireachta ‘An Timire’ – spriocdháta ar an 17 Eanáir
January 9, 2014
Imeachtaí Idirscoile – deontais ar fáil!
January 8, 2014
Dráma den scoth i nGaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh
January 8, 2014
This school year Rang a IV performed a play called ‘Blessed Among Men, Blessed Among Women’. The children put a huge amount of work into this performance and we had a brilliant night presenting it to the Gaelscoil Chalaldh an Treoigh public. We had a huge crowd show up on the night and we raised over 483 euro. We invested this money into speakers and wireless mics which can be used for any future drama productions the school does.
Turas, Taispeántas agus Ceolchoirm i mBéal Feirste, 17 Eanáir
January 8, 2014
Study on Bilingualism by Cambridge University
January 8, 2014
Cambridge University researchers are spreading the message that bilingualism is good for learning, rather than a hindrance as sometimes perceived.
Research shows that children who speak more than one language are multiply advantaged over their monolingual playmates – in communication, cognition and social interaction. Yet, a perception among some parents and teachers is that growing up multilingual is not only fraught with challenges but may even be a risk to educational development, say researchers Drs Dora Alexopoulou, Napoleon Katsos and Teresa Parodi of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics.
Aiming to dispel such misconceptions and champion the benefits of bilingualism, the three linguists have launched an outreach initiative, the ‘Cambridge Bilingualism Network’, aimed at parents, teachers and policy-makers, and will be hosting a workshop on 22 October at the University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas (www.cam.ac.uk/festivalofideas/).
“There’s a huge body of research on bilingualism, much of which is quite technical,” explained Dr Katsos. “We hope to raise awareness of the benefits of bilingualism among stakeholder groups by creating access to this state-of-the-art research and by facilitating contact between the community and our network of specialists at the University.”
One aspect of such research shows that bilingual children ‘notice’ better how language works and outperform monolingual children in tasks linked to language awareness, such as distinguishing whether a sentence is grammatically well-formed from whether it is truthful.
But the benefits go even further, as Dr Alexopoulou explained: “Studies show that a bilingual child is better able to cope with tasks that involve attention, memory and concentration. The mental gymnastics needed to constantly manage two or more linguistic systems increases cognitive flexibility and makes learning easier.”
The advantages of bilingualism hold independently of whether the language in question is spoken by many speakers or is what is commonly viewed as being a ‘useful’ language, observes Dr Parodi. “It’s important to balance this perception of ‘usefulness of a language’ by increasing awareness of the advantages of bilingualism, or the child risks losing their additional language.”
“Moreover, lack of awareness about bilingualism may lead to schools incorrectly diagnosing, or failing to diagnose actual learning difficulties if a phase of linguistic difficulty is observed”, she added. “Typically, if the problem shows in both languages this will point to a learning difficulty, but not if it only shows in one of them.”
Recent research carried out by Dr Katsos is aimed towards identifying a method to distinguish between a child showing a typical delay and a child with an underlying learning problem.
In collaboration with colleagues in Poland and with funding from the British Academy, he discovered that bilingual children are very good at understanding concepts that hold for all languages, such as the meaning of some, most and all, but may take longer to master those parts of grammar that are specific for one language and not the other one.
“A child with temporary delay may score well in the former but less so in the latter test, whereas a child with learning difficulties is likely to score low in both,” he explained. With the help of a Social Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award from HEFCE and UnLimited, Dr Katsos is now turning the research into an off-the-shelf language assessment tool.
Research in the field has also shown that raising and educating children to be bilingual doesn’t happen simply because two different languages are spoken at home, but instead requires continued input on the part of parents. The commitment of teachers and parents is therefore vital.
Through conversations with teachers and parents, the team is also pinpointing where further study is needed, and this is being fed back into the academics’ own research. In particular, the linguists have realised that comparatively few studies have focused on those children who move to a different country and begin learning a second language at primary school age.
The researchers are now extending their outreach activities to a greater number of schools in collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cambridgeshire Race Equality and Diversity Service (CREDS) and in partnership with several schools.
Arbury Primary School in Cambridge is one the Network’s recent partners. Kathy Whiting, a teacher at Arbury and County leading Teacher for English as an Additional Language said: “The Cambridge Bilingualism Network events are inspiring and thought-provoking. Parents and teachers appreciate the scientific exposition of the benefits of bilingualism. They also welcome the opportunity to air the, often implicit, concerns and aspirations. We are delighted that this partnership between the University and our school has lead parents and teachers to higher levels of awareness and engagement with bilingualism.”
“Although bilingualism is perfectly normal in many places in the world, it is comparatively new in the English-speaking world,” added Dr Alexopoulou. “The problem with an education system set up with assumptions of monolingualism is there is a risk that children may miss out on the significant benefits conferred by maintaining their bilingualism.”
The ‘Cambridge Bilingualism Network’ involves researchers from several departments of the University who specialise on different aspects of learning more than one language. For instance, Professor Usha Goswami at the Department of Experimental Psychology focuses on reading and the brain, and Drs Edith Esch and Linda Fisher in the Faculty of Education focus on bilingualism in the family and the classroom. As such, the ‘Cambridge Bilingualism Network’ extends a warm invitation to all Cambridge researchers working on language who wish to contribute towards breaking the barriers between academia and social practice.
For more information about the Cambridge Bilingualism Network’, please visit http://sites.google.com/site/cambiling/
Inspiring new documentary series, An Ceoldráma starts on TG4
January 7, 2014
An Ceoldráma is a new, observational documentary series that goes behind the classroom door in four Gaelscoils to reveal what it takes to get a school musical on stage in one of the toughest categories of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta (The National Schools’ Drama Competition), which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
A cross between the award-winning documentaries, Spellbound and Être et Avoir, this four-part series offers a highly-accessible insight into what has become a rite-of-passage for thousands of Irish-language pupils across the country. An Ceoldráma paints an intimate picture of the micro-society of primary school and highlights the transformative effect that drama and music can have on the young hearts and minds of this new Irish-speaking generation.
Directed by Colm Bairéad (Lorg na gCos, An tÁdh) and produced by Cleona Ní Chrualaoi (Lorg na gCos, The Gathering: Homeward Bound), An Ceoldráma features an eclectic mix of candid classroom and rehearsal footage, accomplished (and not-so-accomplished!) musical performances and insightful interviews with stressed teachers, excited students and endlessly supportive parents. The series follows one school from each province; Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan, Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Carrigaline, Cork, Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown, Co. Dublin and Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille in Connemara, Galway. It’s a series that has all the ingredients of compelling, broad-appeal television, which manages to keep the Irish language completely at its heart.
An Ceoldráma shows the multitude of mini-dramas that unfold behind these dramas; the countless challenges teachers face in bringing each musical from a simple idea on a page to an all-singing, all-dancing performance in front of a packed theatre audience and the all-important judges; the funny moments that occur during rehearsals, the myriad things that go wrong before they get it right, the play, the laughter, the pressure that the pupils put themselves under – competing for the lead role, hitting those high notes, perfecting choreography, painting sets and memorising lines.
An Ceoldráma follows a select group of characters outside of school hours as each musical winds its way back home and over the course of four episodes, the series pieces together the source material of these vibrant, quirky and heart-lifting young personalities, as they each dream of a place in the competition’s final in Mullingar.
Produced by Inscéal, An Ceoldráma was edited by John Murphy (Showrunners, Bliain in Árainn Mhóir) in Lotus Media and was onlined and sound mixed in Reelgood. The series was filmed between January-May 2013 in locations in Dublin, Monaghan, Galway, Donegal, Cork and Westmeath.
An Ceoldráma airs on TG4 every Sunday night at 8pm for four weeks from January 12th with two repeats.
For more information, please contact Cleona Ní Chrualaoi at cleonanic@gmail.com or 087-3296776
An Ceoldráma – Billings
Episode 1: An Féile Áitiúil / The County Final
Sunday, January 12th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 14th 12am & January 16th 2pm
It’s January and the 6th Class pupils of Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin have four weeks to get their musical ready for the Cork Final of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. In Monaghan town, Gaelscoil Ultain’s preparations for their county final are put in jeopardy by the move to a new school. The clock is ticking!
Episode 2: An Féile Áitiúil / The County Final
Sunday, January 19th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 21st 12am & January 23rd 2pm
Scoil Lorcáin in Monkstown enter the Féile Scoildrámaíochta for the first time in many years, but Glee-club teacher, Ann-Marie is sure her love of stage musicals will hold her in good stead as they race to prepare for the Dublin Final. In the heart of Connemara, the 4th and 5th Class students of Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille, set their sights on another victory at the Galway Final.
Episode 3: Na Féiltí Cúige / The Provincial Finals
Sunday, January 26th 2014 – 8pm / Repeat January 28th 12am & January 30th 2pm
All four schools have made it to the Provincial Finals of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. In Galway, the competition between Tommy and Chloe slowly comes to the boil, whilst Scoil Lorcáin has to do some soul-searching following an under par performance in the Dublin Final. Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan reveal the special person they’ve been thinking of during their performances and in Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin, Cork, the new subject is chemistry as teacher, Brian deals with rising class hormones!
Episode 4: An Féile Náisiúnta / The National Final
Sunday, February 2nd 2014 – 8pm / Repeat February 4th 12am & February 6th 2pm
It’s the All-Ireland Final of the Féile Scoildrámaíochta. Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille in Galway and Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Cork both enlist the help of local choreographers to spice up their stage presence for the big day in Mullingar. Scoil Lorcáin in Dublin are still refining their musical and have a new solo to contend with, whilst the pupils of Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan look back on the years gone by as the end of the competition, and their time in primary school, draws near.
‘Ní míchumas atá orm – is buntáiste atá ann’
January 7, 2014
Rith 2014
January 6, 2014
Rith 2014 is a national Irish language festival that will take place between the 7-15 March 2014 during Seachtain na Gaeilge. On March 7th 2014, a marathon run will commence around the island of Ireland, passing the specially designed baton to a different runner/group at the end of each kilometre.
Rith 2014 is also a fund-raising activity, with a special fund established as a result of Rith that will be used to promote the development of Irish in the community. Rith 2014 will be run through 14 counties from the 7 – 15 March 2014 and finishing nine days later in Belfast where the special in the baton will be revealed to the public. The 1000km course has been laid out for a massive cross-county relay race, running from morning to night, starting in Baile Bhuirne in co. Cork to Belfast over a nine day period, with thousands of people taking part across the 200 towns/townlands and countryside on the route.
Rith 2014 is an enjoyable and innovative way for communities to celebrate the Irish language and culture in a visual way across Ireland. To take part and register with Rith 2014 just visit www.rith.ie
This wonderful event will celebrate the Irish language and for 9 days member of the public in towns, cities and in the countryside so why not join in the fun and run.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
