Huge Setback for The Teaching & Learning of Irish
July 13, 2009
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. regrets the announcement made last Thursday by the Department of Education and Science that the national support initiative for Irish will not go ahead due to the moratorium on recruitment in the public service.
The planned initiative, under the auspices of An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), represents a vital support for the development of necessary teaching and learning resources, in particular in post-primary resources and support for Gaeltacht schools. The outcome of the decision announced by Minister Batt O’Keeffe is that COGG can no longer continue the recruitment process in order to fill the four vacant positions in the national centre in Ballyvourney.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO.’s Chief Executive expressed her disappointment with this decision, stating "there was great hope for the development of the Irish-medium education sector when this national initiative was first announced in terms of the provision of necessary services, comprehensive research prgrammes and the provision of resources. However, due to the inexcusable delay in implementing this decision, we are now faced with the situation that the Minister may not be in a position to commence the full development of this initiative in the centre in Baile Bhúirne. I urge that the Minister nonetheless reviews this decision with a view to allowing the recruitment of the four new staff in order that the excellent work carried out by COGG will continue in the new education centre in Baile Bhúirne."
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the national co-ordinating body for schools teaching through the medium of Irish. It helps parents and local groups to set up new schools and supports the established all-Irish schools. There are 170 primary schools and 42 secondary schools currently providing education through the medium of Irish.
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Further Information:
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin Mícheál Ó Broin
Ardfheidhmeannach Uachtarán
01-8535195 087-9467700
