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GAELSCOILEANNA WELCOME OIREACHTAS SUPPORT: Committee recognises clear need for more research before circular 0044/2007 is implemented

December 6, 2007

The campaign to save early total immersion stepped up a gear in Dáil Éireann today when a delegation from Gaelscoileanna Teoranta addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science.

"We were pleased with the opportunity to present our case.  We stressed the need to undertake more research before we allow the policy of early total immersion which has worked so well for over 50 years to be swept aside by one departmental circular," said Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, Chief Executive of Gaelscoileanna Teo. 

"All the research undertaken in Canada, Britain and around the world supports the benefits of early immersion, and we produced research today undertaken in Ireland which backs up the view that there are significant benefits for English as the majority language as well as Irish from at least one year of total immersion."

"The committee showed great understanding and support for our argument, backed up by the NCCA, INTO and many others that we must not implement the circular until we know more about why immersion education has worked so well in an Irish context."

"This campaign is about education and parental choice. Gaelscoileanna are open to all children and are of equal benefit to those of every racial, linguistic and national background, as well as those of all learning abilities, added Mícheál O’Broin, President of Gaelscoileanna."

"We are hopeful that the support we have received today from across the political divide, will encourage the Department to review the policy and withdraw the circular at least until such time as research is undertaken"

"Without change we run the risk of killing a wonderful education choice without ever knowing why it worked so well."

The circular will start to come into effect from January 2008 and will affect the current or future possibility of teaching through early immersion principles in almost 200 schools.

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Further Information:

Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin                                            Rob Hartnett
Chief Executive – Gaelscoileanna Teoranta              Director – Hartnett McClure Public
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