Minister’s statement on enrolment practices in Irish-medium schools based on inaccurate information
April 5, 2013
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. has expressed disappointment at the statement made by the Minister for Education and Skills on the review of enrolment policies in schools, as reported in the Irish Independent on the 4th of April under the headline “Irish language schools targeted over restrictive entrance rules”. The reported statement alleged restrictive practices in the enrolment process in Irish-medium primary and post-primary schools.
The Minister recently announced that a draft bill is to go before the Oireachtas to legislate for enrolment and entrance policies in all schools. According to the Minister’s statement, the basis of the draft bill will be that, among other things, there will be a single system for every type of school, regardless of the language ethos of the school. The draft bill arises from consultations between the Minister and education partners in 2011, in which GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. took part. The submission made by GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. to the Department of Education and Skills on this matter confirmed that Irish-medium schools have an open and comprehensive system where children from all backgrounds are welcome. The submission recognised the challenge presented by the level of demand for places in some schools, which means that not every child who applies for a place can be given the opportunity to be educated through the medium of Irish. In the case of these schools in particular, the submission recognised the necessity of protecting the language policy and ethos of the school.
The statement reported in the Irish Independent demonstrated a profound misunderstanding of the system. The schools’ practice shows clearly that Irish-medium schools welcome families with all levels of ability in the Irish language as well as families who don’t speak any Irish but who have an interest in the language, a direct contradiction of the Minister’s statement as reported. The president of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO., Máirín Ní Chéileachair, has questioned the research on which the statement was based and she has recommended that “the real cause of the problem be addressed, which is that the availability of school places does not meet demand. If there were sufficient school places to meet the huge demand for Irish-medium education there would not be a need to legislate for this. This legislation will impact on the 30% of Irish-medium primary schools and 20% of Irish-medium post-primary schools that cannot cater for the demand for places in their schools. Instead of increasing provision, a long-term solution that would satisfy the wishes of parents seeking Irish-medium education for their children, the schools are being accused of restrictive practice and elitism.” The same article in the Irish Independent stated incorrectly that there are around 100 Irish-medium post-primary schools in Ireland; there are just 35 in the Republic of Ireland, 5 in Northern Ireland and 21 teaching through Irish in Gaeltacht areas.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. will continue to consult directly with the Minister, the Department of Education and Skills and public representatives on this matter to ensure that the Irish language and Irish-medium education are fairly represented.
Further information:
Máirín Ní Chéileachair, President, GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
0872861655 | mairinnicheileachair@gmail.com
Nóra Ní Loingsigh, Vice CEO, GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.
01 8535191 | nora@gaelscoileanna.ie
