Department of Education Review: Irish language in Gaeltacht schools
June 4, 2013
In the coming months, the Department of Education and Skills will be undertaking a review of the provision of Irish medium education in Gaeltacht schools.
Speaking at a conference held by Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), The Secretary General of the Department of Education, Seán Ó Foghlú addressed the fact that research indicates a significant decrease in a young native speaker’s fluency when he/she enters primary school.
He also mentioned that some of the key difficulties in teaching the language in Gaeltacht schools have to do with a wide range of levels in spoken Irish and also in parents’ attitude towards Irish-education.
This review is a huge step forward in terms of addressing problems in the current system. A major challenge for the authorities at Gaeltacht schools is the provision of a high standard of education through Irish at a time where the smallest schools face a significant risk of closure due to Government cuts. According to the Secretary General, the aim of this review is to recognise different choices in the provision of Irish medium education which suit the needs of the Gaeltacht community as well as the needs of Gaeltacht area planning according to Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.
It has been said that the review’s terms of reference have been set and that there will be an intended consultation process in which relevant parties in the sector will be involved. The process is set to begin soon and it is hoped that the research will be finalised by mid-2014.
Overall plan
This review is an integral part of the Department’s overall plan regarding Irish-medium education in the country and the language in general. According to the Secretary General, a new integrated language curriculum on foundation level is set to come into play at the end of 2014 and emphasis will be placed on the spoken elements in the syllabus as there is in ordinary level.
Reviews are also set to take place in several other areas of the current Irish-medium education system including the Leaving Certificate oral exam which will be conducted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), and the current exemption from Irish process which is increasing in primary and secondary schools all over the country.
Dedication to the Irish language
Speaking at the conference which was celebrating COGG’s achievements over the past ten years, Seán Ó Foghlú emphasised the importance of the provision of Irish language services by the education sector including matters of law, throughout the media, in translation and of course, in education.
Ó Foghlú maintained that much progress has been made within the curriculum, the assessment process and teacher training in line with the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.
The conference was told that a report regarding the Department’s policies and its implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language is currently under review by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and will be published in the coming months.
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