Irish medium education under threat
May 4, 2010
The last twenty years has seen a rise in the number of gaelscoileanna across the country but now Irish language organisations are worried that the future development of the sector in under threat because of new criteria brought in by the Department of Education.
It’s an issue which was raised by President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Pádraig Mac Fheaghusa when he spoke at the Ardfheis of Conradh na Gaeilge two weeks ago in Limerick.
He believes that civil servants in the Department would happily remove the Irish language from the education system if given the chance.
Much of the issue thus far as focused on the case of one gaelscoil in particular in Rath Oath in Co, Meath which was denied official recognition by the Department earlier this year.
Mac Fhearghusa has criticised the decision and has called on the Irish speaking community to fight the threat posed to the future expansion of the sector.
The new criteria focus on the degree of demand for primary education in the location generally. Gaelscoileanna have argued that they don’t factor in a need for Irish medium education as well as English medium education in various areas.
Five Irish organisations have come together last week for launch a campaign ‘Aitheantas’ to secure official recognition for the Rath Oath gaelscoil. The campaign is also calling on the Department to introduce provision for Irish medium education in particular areas as a criterion when recognising new schools.
Seán Ó Buachalla is the Chair of the School Committee in Rath Oath and he has welcomed the support received from Irish organisations on the matter.
He said that the local committee would be working hard to raise funds for the school which is due to open its doors in September 2010, albeit without official recognition and funding.
The next step for the organisations is to lobby the Department and politicians on the matter and some support has been given by local councillors.
The local committee has spoken to other gaelscoil committees who faced similar issues in the past but who eventually received full recognition from the Department.
They are hopeful that the school will get official recognition in the near future but will continue with their plans to establish the school in the meantime.
©www.gaelport.com 4 Bealtaine 2010
