‘Irish-Medium Education – Fundamental to the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language’ – opportune theme for Gaelscoileanna Teo. Annual Education Conference
October 14, 2010
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.’s Annual Education Conference and AGM was officially launched last night by local Councillor Seán O’Brien in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, home of this year’s conference on the 19 and 20 November 2010.
At the launch it was widely recognised that the Conference provides an important platform for school principals, teachers, members of parent committees, boards of management, representatives from Irish language organisations as well as for the local community and schools to gather together in celebration of Irish-medium education.
In referring to the chosen Conference theme, ‘Irish-Medium Education – Fundamental to the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language’, Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. explains its relevance “with the imminent publication of the Governments 20 year Strategy for the Irish language we are reminded of the context and fundamental importance of Irish-medium education to the future of the Irish language. The recognition awarded to Irish-medium education as well as the commitments outlined in the Strategy for developing the sector place education administrators, support organisations such as GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. as well as practitioners in our schools at the centre stage in moulding the future of Irish-medium education.
She warmly welcomes the confirmation that Minister Pat Carey will address the public at the conference on the importance of Irish-medium education in general and to the Government.
In speaking about the Conference programme, ní Ghréacháin states, “we have developed a very comprehensive programme for this year’s conference, which has received much positive feedback and in particular due to the balance achieved between theoretical and practical workshops. We are very pleased to be able to address the expressed training needs of the schools and we are confident that the school communities will both benefit from and enjoy the programme.
At today’s Conference launch President of the organisation, Mícheál Ó Broin, expressly welcomed the local community, “we are very grateful to Gaelscoil Eiscir Riada and Gaelscoil Éadan Doire in particular whom are both assisting in raising awareness of the Conference in the local community and thereby extending the invitation to them. Their support as well as those of other enthusiasts in the community is helping to ensure that we provide and appealing and meaningful Conference. Local support further exemplifies the importance played by the school and local community in developing Irish-medium schools.
In announcing a new development in the Conference programme for 2010, Ó Broin states, “I am very pleased to announce that we will be joined this year by teachers from various gaelscoileanna in the North of Ireland who will be partaking in events as a result of a new north/south collaboration project. Teachers from both jurisdictions will have the opportunity to share expertise and best-practice from their respective schools.”
As a final word at today’s launch, Ó Broin whole-heartedly thanked the children who provided delightful music as a foretaste to their presentation at the Conference. He extended a warm welcome to the local community as well as to the community at large to join him at the Conference on the 19 and 20 November.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national coordinating organisation for Irish-medium schools at primary and post-primary level. It provides assistance and support to parents and local communities who wish to found a school and it supports existing Irish-medium schools in their development.
End
For those members of the media wishing to attend the conference on Friday or Saturday, 19 th and 20 November, please contact GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. at:
Office: 01-8535195 / Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin: 086 8050335/ Mícheál Ó Broin 087 9467700.
