Embedded shortcomings in the system revealed
Samhain 5, 2013
There was good news in this report – but it will be hard to solve the problems
Parents and students are at the receiving end of the education system but their views on the services provided are only infrequently requested. So it is interesting that their views are so well represented in the chief inspector’s report on the quality and standards in teaching and learning in our primary and post-primary sectors. Previously the results of school inspection visits were kept within the Department of Education and Skills and were not issued as public documents. It was decided to revamp the inspection procedures for this latest report, changing them in the knowledge that at the end there would be a report for publication.
There was a considerable effort made to sample sentiment, given that 132,000 questionnaires were issued to parents and students at primary and post-primary level, and the results add significantly to the value of the report. It will be reassuring for the department to see relatively high percentages of “satisfactory” and “better than satisfactory” assessments across the full range of subjects. The report looked at both the teaching approaches taken but also the learning outcomes in the students. Lower performance levels were seen in maths and Irish however, evidence that our educational system needs to improve in these subject areas. The chief inspector Harold Hislop said that these results could not inform on whether the revised maths syllabus, Project Maths ,was having any impact in the classroom. There was confidence, however, that this would make a difference when the syllabus was fully implemented.
There are embedded shortcomings in the system, however, such as the fact that many teachers teaching maths are graduates of subjects other than maths or a science. This does not help when it comes to helping students with this sometimes difficult subject. Preparation It is difficult to know what to do with Irish. The report showed that far too often there was a low level of preparation for the classroom. The inspector speculated on whether having better in-class teaching materials might help bring improvements, although it is clear there are problems when almost a third of lessons at post-primary were considered unsatisfactory. The parent survey proved interesting because it revealed a communications gap between school management and parents, a point highlighted by Ruairí Quinn. At primary level only 70 per cent said their views were sought on school matters, and only 65 per cent knew about the work of the school board of management.
The gap apparently widens at post-primary where just 44 per cent of parents agreed their views were sought, with 32 per cent disagreeing and 24 per cent saying they don’t know. And the schools’ parents’ association does not seem to link with parents given only 51 per cent of parents said they were being informed, while 28 per cent disagreed and 20 per cent didn’t know.
www.irishtimes.com
10pc of lessons given in our schools are sub-standard
Samhain 5, 2013
SERIOUS weaknesses have been found in the teaching of Irish and maths in schools.
The most comprehensive snapshot ever of quality and standards in primary and post- primary education reveals some disturbing evidence of poor practice. While it found that the majority of schools were well- managed, most teachers work effectively and the learning of students is generally satisfactory, there are significant problems in some areas. Chief schools’ inspector Harold Hislop expressed concern about the overall minimum of “10pc to 15pc of schools and lessons where less-than-satisfactory practices exist”. “Fundamentally, there are weakness in the teaching and learning of Irish in particular and, to a lesser degree, in maths, in a significant proportion of our schools,” he said.
The Chief Inspector’s Report, published for the first time, gives a detailed overview of the quality of teaching and learning, based on inspections in the majority of schools over the period 2010-12. For first time also, the report includes the views of parents and pupils on their experiences of the education system, with 65,000 students and 67,000 parents completing questionnaires. The findings on the quality of teaching and learning are based on a range of inspections carried out in half of primary schools and more than 90pc of post-primary schools. In primary schools, it found that a “very significant” 24pc of Irish lessons were less than satisfactory. In post- primary schools, teaching of Irish was “satisfactory or better” in only 72pc of classes, and in some cases teachers’ own skills in the language were deficient. Shockingly, the quality of student learning in Ireland was found to be problematic in 32pc of cases.
Moves to improve the quality of Irish teaching and learning include longer teacher training and a new strategy on numeracy and literacy in schools. Mr Hislop’s report also highlighted issues around maths teaching in post-primary schools, which have been publicised before, and which are blamed for Ireland’s disappointing showing in international student tests. Mr Hislop said it was of concern that the quality of teaching was only “satisfactory or better” in 77pc of classes and the quality of learning was less than satisfactory in 26pc of lessons.
Upskill
Efforts are under way to upskill maths teachers, where necessary, while hopes of improving national student performance are also pinned on the new Project Maths syllabus. However, inspectors also noted that the depth of mathematical understanding required to teach Project Maths was challenging for some teachers. The inspectors found a much more positive picture around the teaching and learning of English, at both primary and post-primary level. Mr Hislop said among the issues raised by the inspections are the “definite shortcomings” in approaches to planning and preparing classes, at both primary and post-primary levels. He also said there were crucial issues to be addressed about how students were assessed. “Improvements in how schools assess and monitor the learning experiences and performance of their learners and in how they use the resulting information to plan for future teaching and learning are particularly important,” he said. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said while the report acknowledged all the good practices taking place on a daily basis in schools, it also showed a system “screaming for reform” in some areas.
www.independent.ie
If our schools scream for reform, let’s reform them
Samhain 5, 2013
IT is hardly news to anyone that there are “weaknesses in the teaching and learning of Irish”, as pointed out by the Chief Inspector of Schools in his report for the years 2010-2012.
This is self evident from the fact that successive generations of students emerge at the end of their primary and second-level education with only a vague idea of the language and an inability to carry out a conversation in Gaeilge. More worrying perhaps is the fact that the Chief Inspector, Harold Hislop, has identified weaknesses “to a lesser” extent than Irish, in the teaching of maths and it is hoped the newly introduced Project Maths syllabus will help to eradicate some of these problems. The Chief Inspector’s report is based on visits by inspectors to over half of primary schools, and more than nine in 10 post-primary schools over the two-year period.
While his report says that a majority of schools are well managed and most teachers work effectively there are, he declares, “dimensions of education delivery that are, to varying degrees, problematic”. What this means is that “definite shortcomings in approaches to planning and preparation for students” exist in both primary and post-primary sectors. For those with school-going children this is indeed worrying. Whatever about Irish, and for many it remains an important part of our educational system and our culture in general, it is not good enough that serious deficiencies have been identified in the teaching of mathematics. This is now a subject of fundamental importance in the digital age and the Chief Inspector’s report is not the first to point out that Irish teachers and schools need to do better.
The survey also found that communication with parents is another area where schools must do better. Parents do not believe they get enough advice when it comes to the subjects their children choose for the Leaving Certificate. There is also widespread dissatisfaction at the response to the problematic area of bullying, which has become an issue of so much importance. “The picture that emerges in this report lays down challenges for everyone who works in the educational system,” concludes Mr Hislop. It is reassuring that he believes “excellence in terms of learning experience and standards can be achieved” but that does not detract from the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s contention that in some areas education is “screaming for reform” and maths and Irish would seem like a good starting point.
WHEN DID OUR PUBLIC SERVICE FORGET IT EXISTS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC?
www.independent.ie
Seolann an tAire Quinn Tuarascáil an Phríomhchigire 2010-12
Samhain 4, 2013
Bhí caighdeáin an teagaisc agus na foghlama sásúil nó níos fearr i bhformhór na gceachtanna a ndearnadh meastóireacht orthu
Léiríonn Suirbhéanna Rúnda Tuismitheoirí ardleibhéil shástachta le scoileanna
Tá Tuarascáil an Phríomhchigire ar cháilíocht agus ar chaighdeáin i mbunscoileanna agus in iar-bhunscoileanna agus i lárionaid oideachais seolta inniu ag an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, Ruairí Quinn T.D. Léiríonn an tuarascáil, atá bunaithe ar chigireachtaí a rinne an Roinn idir 2010 agus 2012, go raibh caighdeáin an teagaisc agus na foghlama sásúil nó níos fearr i bhformhór na gceachtanna a ndearnadh cigireacht orthu. Thug an Príomhchigire, an Dochtúir Harold Hislop, le fios freisin go raibh scóp don fheabhsúchán i mionlach suntasach ceachtanna.
Don chéad uair tá suirbhéanna tuismitheoirí a léiríonn ardleibhéil shástachta le scoileanna mar chuid de Thurascáil an Phríomhchigire. Ba í an tuairim ag 97 faoin gcéad de bhreis agus 47,000 tuismitheoirí a ndearnadh suirbhé orthu i mbunscoileanna go raibh an teagasc go maith i scoil a bpáiste. Sna hiar-bhunscoileanna, bhí a leithéid céanna de thuairim ag 87 faoin gcéad den 20,000 tuismitheoir a ndearnadh suirbhé orthu.
Leanann an tuarascáil seo tréimhse suntasach athchóirithe ó 2010 i leith ar an tslí ina dtugtar faoi chigireachtaí scoile. Tarlaíonn a lán cigireachtaí anois gan aon réamhfhógra agus cé go bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar líon na gcigirí, tá méadú tagtha ar mhinicíocht na gcigireachtaí. Bíonn suirbhéanna faoi rún ar thuismitheoirí agus ar dhaltaí mar chuid de mheastóireachtaí scoile uile anois.
“Tharla mar thoradh ar athchóiriú na cigireachta gur cuireadh tús le raon samhlacha cigireachta ar a n-áirítear cigireachtaí gan réamhfhógra, cigireachtaí leantacha agus athshamhlú ar mheastóireacht scoile uile,” arsa an tAire Quinn. “Bailíonn an chigireacht tuairimí agus dearcthaí múinteoirí agus foghlaimeoirí freisin agus tá áthas orm léargas ar na tuairimí tábhachtacha seo a fheiceáil i dTuarascáil an Phríomhchigire.”
D’fháiltigh an tAire Quinn roimh thorthaí na tuarascála. “Tugann Tuarascáil an Phríomhchigire aitheantas don dea-chleachtas uile a tharlaíonn ó lá go lá in ár scoileanna maidir le cáilíocht na ceannasaíochta, na bainistíochta, an teagaisc agus na foghlama. Léirítear roinnt laigí agus agus treoirítear scoileanna go daingean i dtreo an fheabhsaithe i scoileanna,” a dúirt sé.
“Tá a lán buanna ag baint lenár gcóras oideachais, a bhuíochas sin go mór d’iarrachtaí mórchuid múinteoirí agus ceannairí scoile díograiseacha. Ba leasc go mór san am atá thart aitheantas a thabhairt do laigí an chórais agus dul i ngleic leis na heasnaimh,” a dúirt an tAire Quinn. “Cuireann an tuarascáil seo an t-eolas atá de dhíth orainn ar fáil, eolas cáilíochtúil agus cainníochtúil, chun deis a thabhairt dúinn na buanna agus na laigí a fheiceáil i dteagasc, i bhfoghlaim, i mbainistíocht agus i gceannasaíocht ár scoileanna.”
Ba é breithmheas na gcigirí go raibh 86 faoin gcéad de na ceachtanna i gcigireachtaí gan réamhfhógra sásúil nó níos fearr i mbunscoileanna, agus go raibh 14 faoin gcéad nach raibh sásúil. Léiríodh torthaí den chineál céanna in MSU (Meastóireacht Scoile Uile) in iar-bhunscoileanna le 87 faoin gcéad de na ceachtanna a measadh sásúil nó níos fearr agus 13 faoin gcéad nach raibh sásúil
“Tugann cigireachtaí léiriú seachtrach tábhachtach ar obair scoileanna,” a dúirt an Príomhchigire, “agus bíonn siad dírithe ar chúnamh a thabhairt do scoileanna a dteagasc agus a bhfoghlaim a fheabhsú. Tugann siad dearbhú tábhachtach freisin do thuismitheoirí agus don phobal faoi cháilíocht na hoibre i scoileanna”, arsa an Dochtúir Hislop freisin.
Ardaítear ábhair imní ar leith i dTuarascáíl an Phríomhchigire 2010-12 faoi theagasc na Gaeilge agus faoi theagasc na Matamaitice.
Léiríodh go raibh foghlaim na ndaltaí níos lú ná sásúil sa cheathrú cuid nach mór (24 faoin gcéad) de na ceachtanna Gaeilge i mbunscoileanna agus sa triú cuid nach mór (32 faoin gcéad) de na ceachtanna Gaeilge sna hiar-bhunscoileanna. I measc na dtosc a luaigh an Príomhchigire, bhí an t-easnamh ar chlár cuimsitheach Gaeilge do bhunscoileanna a bhí ag teagasc trí mheán an Bhéarla mar aon le hábhair imní maidir le cumas Gaeilge múinteoirí i líon beag, ach suntasach, ranganna.
Bhí caighdeáin teagaisc agus foghlama sa mhatamaitic go maith i gcoitinne ag an mbunleibhéal leis an bhfoghlaim sásúil nó níos fearr i 85 de na ceachtanna a ndearnadh cigireacht orthu agus le torthaí a bhí go maith do dhaltaí na hÉireann i suirbhéanna idirnáisiúnta. Luaigh cigirí, áfach, easpa na ndeiseanna do dhaltaí bunscoileanna dul i ngleic leis an obair chomhpháirteach a bhfuil gá leis do réiteach fadhbanna éifeachtach.
Ag an iar-bhunleibhéal, measadh go raibh foghlaim na ndaltaí níos lú ná sásúil in os cionn an ceathrú cuid (26 faoin gcéad) de na ceachtanna matamaitice. Luaigh an Príomhchigire go raibh Project Maths á thabhairt isteach le linn na tréimhse lena mbaineann an tuarascáil seo chun freastal ar a lán de na laigí i dteagasc na matamaitice. Thug cigirí le fios freisin, áfach, go raibh an doimhneacht a bhain leis an tuiscint mhatamaiticiúil is gá chun Project Maths a theagasc dúshlánach do roinnt múinteoirí.
Déanann Tuarascáil an Phríomhchigire 2010-12 cur síos freisin ar an dtimpeallacht “dhúshlánach” ina raibh scoileanna ag feidhmiú sa tréimhse 2010-12. Luaitear gur ardaigh caiteachas ar oideachas ó €3.218bn go €3.263bn ag an mbunleibhéal agus ó €3.070bn go €3.147bn ag an iar-bhunleibhéal, agus go raibh an caiteachas de réir dalta i 2010 os cionn mheáin an ECFE. D’ardaigh an caiteachas ar thacaíochtaí do leanaí le riachtanais speisialta ó €1.2bn i 2010 go €1.3bn i 2012 agus is ionann sin anois agus 15 faoin gcéad de bhuiséad iomlán na Roinne. Léiríonn an tuarascáil gur ardaigh an líon daltaí 5.5 faoin gcéad ag an mbunleibhéal agus 6.3 faoin gcéad ag an iar-bhunleibhéal ach gur fhan líon na múinteoirí mórán mar an gcéanna. I measc na hathruithe a luaigh an Príomhchigire freisin bhí imeacht ar scor líon mór múinteoirí le taithí agus cailliúint na bpost lárbhainistíochta i scoileanna a tharla mar thoradh ar an moratóir sa tseirbhís phoiblí.
An Triail
Samhain 4, 2013
Fíbín presents its acclaimed version of the modern Irish classic An Triail by Mairéad Ní Ghráda for Leaving Cert students, as you’ve never seen it before, using puppets, masks and engaging visuals. November 18-22, 10.30am and 1.30pm.
www.axis-ballymun.ie.
Athbhreithniú ar Ghaeilge an Teastais Shóisearaigh
Samhain 4, 2013
Próiseas comhairliúcháin maidir le córas nua na n-ábhar sa tsraith shóisearach
Fógraíodh mí Dheireadh Fómhair na bliana seo caite go ndéanfar leasú mór ar an Teastas Sóisearach. Tiocfaidh na socruithe nua i bhfeidhm ar bhonn céimiúil do mhuintir na chéad bliana ó 2014 agus tabharfar faoin scrúdú nua den chéad uair in 2017.
In áit chúrsa reatha an Teastais Shóisearaigh atá bunaithe ar chlár a fhoghlaimítear de ghlanmheabhair, measúnófar obair na ndaltaí ar bhonn leanúnach. De réir an chórais nua, tabharfaidh daltaí scoile faoi 8 n-ábhar ar a laghad agus 10 n-ábhar ar a mhéid idir ábhair thraidisiúnta agus ‘chúrsaí gearra’ mar shampla an tSínis, an Corpoideachas nó Litearthacht sna Meáin Dhigiteacha. Beidh clár na sraithe sóisearaí faoi chinneadh na scoile agus déanfar a rogha ábhar agus cúrsaí gearra a fhreastalóidh ar riachtanais áirithe dhaltaí na scoile sin a chur ar fáil.
Soláthróidh an Roinn Oideachais réimse leathan ábhar mar ‘cúrsaí gearra’ agus beifear ag súil go roghnóidh scoileanna réimse leathan ábhar a dhéanfaidh cumas agus smaointeoireacht na ndaltaí a fhorbairt agus a spreagfaidh múinteoirí le bheith nuálach agus slite foghlama cruthaitheacha a chur chun cinn sa seomra ranga. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh na daltaí, seachas na scrúduithe, ag croílár chur chuige mheasúnú an Teastais Shóisearaigh leasaithe.
Beidh an Ghaeilge, an Béarla agus an Mhatamaitic mar chroí-ábhair faoin gcóras nua agus tá fógartha go mbeidh an Eolaíocht ina croí-ábhar sa bhliain 2016.
Tá an Chomhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (CNCM) ag tabhairt faoi phróiseas comhairliúcháin maidir le chúlra athbhreithniú an chúrsa Gaeilge nua agus táthar ag fáiltiú roimh thuairimí agus aighneachtaí ó pháirtithe leasmhara ina leith.
Iarrtar ar rannpháirtithe aighneacht a chur chuig consultation@ncca.ie agus tabharfar rogha suirbhé mear nó suirbhé iomlán a chomhlánú ar shuíomh an chomhairliúcháin roimh 20 Nollaig 2013. Reáchtálfar tréimhse eile comhairliúcháin in earrach 2014.
Tá an Ghaeilge ar cheann d’ábhair Chéim 2, mar aon leis an Staidéar Gnó agus an Eolaíocht, a thabharfar isteach do scoláirí na chéad bhliana i bhfómhar 2015. Is é an Béarla an t-aon ábhar athbhreithnithe a thiocfaidh isteach bliain roimh Chéim 2. Foilseofar an sonrúchán nua don Ghaeilge i bhfómhar 2014, bliain sula dtabharfar isteach struchtúr nua an ábhair.
Is féidir treoir agus cáipéisí uile an chomhairliúcháin a fháil anseo.
Leanfaidh an próiseas comhairliúcháin go dtí 20 Nollaig 2013.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Oideachas trasteorann ag méadú ó thuaidh agus ag titim ó dheas
Samhain 4, 2013
Tá ceithre oiread daltaí iarbhunscoile ó Phoblacht na hÉireann ag tabhairt faoi oideachas trasteorann i gcomparáid leo siúd ó Thuaisceart na hÉireann.
Le linn na scoilbhliana 2012/13, chláraigh 275 dalta a raibh seoltaí baile i bPoblacht na hÉireann acu le hiarbhunscoileanna ó thuaidh, i gcomparáid le 63 dalta ón tuaisceart a chláraigh le hiarbhunscoileanna ó dheas.
Tá imní léirithe ag Tony Gallagher, Ollamh le hOideachas, Ollscoil na Banríona go mbeidh oideachas trasteorann ina achrann polaitiúil.
Deir an tIar-Aire Oideachais, Caitríona Ruane, Sinn Féin, gur fadhb mhór í an córas iompair scoile sna ceantair cois teorann. Dar léi, tá an córas iompair ó thuaidh ag cur srian ar dhaltaí ón tuaisceart atá ag clárú d’oideachas iarbhunscoile ó dheas.
Deir Cathaoirleach Chomhchoiste Oideachais an Tionóil, Mervyn Storey, DUP, cé gur rogha phraiticiúil í an t-oideachas trasteorann do roinnt tuismitheoirí, go bhfuil gá áfach le córas íocaíochta thuaidh/theas a thugann léargas níos cruinne ar na figiúirí reatha.
De réir eolais atá faighte ag Meon Eile agus The Detail faoin Acht um Shaoráil Faisnéise, tháinig méadú 42% ar líon na ndaltaí iarbhunscoile ó Phoblacht na hÉireann a chláraigh ó thuaidh idir na blianta 2008-2013. Sa tréimhse chéanna, tháinig laghdú 16% ar líon na ndaltaí ón tuaisceart a chláraigh le hiarbhunscoileanna ó dheas.
Tá na bhfigiúirí ón dhá Roinn Oideachais le fáil ina iomláine ar www.meoneile.ie.
Cásanna áitiúla
Is é Coláiste na Croise Naofa nó Holy Cross College ar an Sráth Bán i dTír Eoghain an scoil is mó éilimh le daltaí ó Phoblacht na hÉireann le ceithre bliana anuas.
Sa scoilbhliain 2012/13, chláraigh 80 dalta ón Phoblacht le Coláiste na Croise Naofa; figiúr atá níos mó ná an líon iomlán ó Thuaisceart na hÉireann a chuaigh ó dheas sa tréimhse chéanna.
Tá baile Lifear suite leathmhíle ón Sráth Bán. 1,658 duine atá ina gcónaí i Lifear gan iarbhunscoil sa bhaile acu. Idir 6 míle agus 14 míle atá na hiarbhunscoileanna is cóngaraí dóibh sa chontae.
D’oscail Coláiste na Croise Naofa ar an Sráth Bán i mí Mheán an Fhómhair 2004 nuair a rinneadh cónascadh ar thrí iarbhunscoil; Ardscoil Naomh Colmán, Ardscoil Muire agus Convent Grammar School. Osclaíodh foirgneamh nua na scoile in 2008.
Deir Tony Gallagher, Ollamh le hOideachas, Ollscoil na Banríona, nach ionadh ar bith é go bhfuil tarraingt chomh mór ar oideachas trasteorann ar an Sráth Bán.
“B’infheistíocht ollmhór é Coláiste na Croise Naofa. Tháing trí scoil áitiúla le chéile agus tógadh foirgneamh nua lena chois. Scoil úrnua is ea í le háiseanna den scoth. Míníonn sé sin tarraingt na scoile agus ní hiontas ar bith é gurbh í an scoil is mó éilimh í le daltaí ó dheas,” arsa an tOllamh.
Tá an Scoil Ríoga i gCathair Ard Mhacha, scoil pháirt-chónaitheach, ar an dara scoil is mó éilimh d’oideachas trasteorann. 41 dalta ón Phoblacht atá cláraithe sa scoil.
Deir Ardmháistir na scoile, Paul Crute, go bhfuil an scoil ag cur fáilte roimh dhaltaí cónaitheacha ó gach cuid den tír le 300 bliain anuas.
“Tugann na daltaí gné bhreise chultúrtha chun na scoile agus tá ardmheas againn ar oideachas trasteorann. Le trí bliana anuas, tá an Ghaeilge á cur ar fáil do dhaltaí cónaitheacha na scoile agus tá Clár Léinn Éireannaigh á chur ar fáil do dhaltaí sa scoil fosta,” a deir sé.
Tá Ardscoil Newtownhamilton agus Ardscoil Naomh Iósaf, Crois Mhic Lionnáin, ar na tríú scoileanna is mó éilimh d’oideachas trasteorann.
Deir Garnett Mullan, Príomhoide Ardscoil Newtownhamilton, go bhfuil ról lárnach ag an eaglais áitiúil i dtacú le hoideachas trasteorann sa scoil.
“Bíonn an chléir ó na heaglais áitiúla freagrach as tionól sa scoil gach seachtain. I gcásanna áiríthe, bheadh Ministir i gceannas ar thrí phobail; ceann amháin i dTuaisceart na hÉireann agus dhá cheann i bPoblacht na hÉireann. Ní bhaineann an teorainn le saol na ndaoine sin. Tá scoil s’againne ag freastal ar phobal daoine atá ina gcónaí ar an dá thaobh den teorainn.”
“Maidir le riachtanais iontrála, tá sé de dhualgas orainn leithcheal a dhéanamh ar dhaltaí a chuireann iarratas chugainn ó Phoblacht na hÉireann. Faoin dlí, caithfidh muid tús áite a thabhairt do dhaltaí atá ina gcónaí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann,” a deir an tUasal Mullan.
Cleachtas Cómhalarachta na Ranna Oideachais
Dúirt an Roinn Oideachais i dTuaisceart na hÉireann go bhfuil cleachtas cómhalartachta idir an Roinn Oideachais ó thuaidh agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna ó dheas maidir le gluaiseacht daltaí i gceantair cois teorann.
Faoi reachtaíocht iontrála Thuaisceart Éireann, tá sé de dhualgas ar scoileanna ó thuaidh tús áite a thabhairt do dhaltaí atá ina gcónaí ó thuaidh ina bpróiseas iontrála.
Dé réir reachtaíocht iompair an Tuaiscirt, ní chuirtear tacaíocht taistil ar fáil do dhaltaí chuig na scoileanna is cóngaraí dóibh lasmuigh den Tuaisceart.
Oideachas Tras Teorann DUP agus Sinn Féin
In 2010, mhol an tIar-Aire Oideachais, Caitríona Ruane, go ndéanfaí an reachtaíocht seo a athrú. Deir sí go bhfuil an reachtaíocht mar a seasann sé faoi láthair ag cur srian ar oideachais trasteorann sna gceantair chois teorainn.
“Caithfidh muid féachaint cad iad na bacainní atá ag cruthú deacaireachtaí d’oideachais trasteorann agus caithfidh muid dul i ngleic leis na bacainní seo. Tosaíonn páistí ar an bhunscoil ag aois níos óige agus críochnaíonn siad ar an bhunscoil ag aois níos óige i dTuaisceart na hÉireann. Ba mhaith liom go dtosóidh siad agus go gcríochnóidh siad ar an aois céanna.”
“Tá tionchar aige seo ar dhaoine ó gach pobal. Má dhéanann daoine i gCabhán agus i Muineacháin cinneadh a bpáistí a chur chuig an scoil is cóngaraí dóibh. Tá gach seans ann gur ar an thaobh eile den teorann atá an scoil sin. Caithfidh muid a chinntiú nach ndéantar leithcheal ar aon nduine, cé acu Caitliceach, Protastúnach nó dhaoine gan chreideamh ar bith iad.”
“Creidim go bhfuil cásanna ann inar féidir le daoine cás a thógáil faoi Dhlí an Aontas Eorpaigh go bhfuil leithcheal a dhéanamh orthu. Toisc go bhfuil daoine lonnaithe i dtuaisceart na hÉireann ag fáil tús áite iontrála roimh dhaoine atá ina gcónaí ar oileán na hÉireann. Tá limistéir iompair chomónta Aontas Eorpaigh ann sna ceantair teorainn trasna na hEorpa.
Sílim nach mór é a oscailt do thuismitheoirí ar cheachtar taobh den teorann anseo. Tá go leor tuismitheoirí atá ina gcónaí ó dheas, a n-oibríonn ó thuaidh, agus a n-íocann a gcuid cánach ó thuaidh. Is ceisteanna iad sin faoi dhlí an Aontas Eorpaigh,” a deir an tIar-Aire Oideachais.
Glacann Mervyn Storey, Cathaoirleach ar Choiste Oideachais an Tionóil leis gur rogha praiticiúil í an oideachais trasteorann i gceantair teorainn. Teastaíonn uaidh go gcuirfear córas íocaíochta i bhfeidhm a léiríonn na treochtaí is déanaí.
“Dé réir an dlí, tá sé de dhualgas ar chóras oideachais Thuaisceart Éireann tús áite a thabhairt do dhaltaí arbh as Tuaisceart Éireann dóibh. Ní mór go bhfanfadh sé mar sin. Go dtí seo, nuair a bheadh áiteanna breise ar scoil, cuireadh na háiteanna sin ar fáil do dhaltaí arbh as lasmuigh de Thuaisceart Éireann dóibh.”
“Tá breis agus 270 dalta ag teacht ón Phoblacht anseo dá gcuid oideachais, figiúirí atá méadaithe le hos cionn 40%. Tá costais ansin ar Státchiste Thuaisceart Éireann toisc go bhfuil daltaí a oiliúint ar chostais againne agus níl a chostais a dtógáil ag Poblacht na hÉireann.
Tá comhaontú ann (idir an dhá Rialtas) i gcás othair arbh ar an deisceart dóibh a dtéann chuig otharlainne an Tuaiscirt. Tá socraithe ann i gcás seirbhisí dóiteáin agus tarrthála má bhíonn feidhm trasteorann i gceist ann. Tá corás íocaíochtaí ann sna gcásanna sin agus bá chóir go mbeadh a mhacasamhail céanna ann i gcás cúrsaí oideachais, arsa Mervyn Storey.
Níor chuir an Roinn Oideachais i dTuaisceart Éireann costais d’oideachas trasteorann ar fáil do Meon Eile. Dúirt siad nach bhfuil sé féideartha tomhais a dhéanamh ar an chostas a bhaineann le dalta a chur tríd bliain iarbhunscolaíochta.
“Ní féidir costas a chur ar fáil d’oideachas iarbhunscolaíochta do dhalta amháin thar thréimhse bliana. Cé go bhfaigheann gach scoil buiséad áiríthe, cuirtear maoiniú eile ar fáil ó na húdaráis chuí mhaoinithe.”
Tá eagla ar an Ollamh Oideachais, Tony Gallagher, go mbeidh oideachas trasteorann caite in achrann polaitiúil.
“Tá barraíocht ábhar ann san oideachais a gcruthaíonn achrainn agus racán agus tá baol ann go dtarlóidh an rud céanna anseo. Roimhe seo, rinneadh talamh slán den ábhar mar shíl daoine nach raibh mórán difríocht idir bhfigiúir.”
“Dé réir mar a éiríonn an t-ábhar níos sofheicithe, tá baol ann go ndéanfar é a pholaitiúil. Is cosúil go mbeidh díospóireacht ann faoi chórais íocaíochta agus araile. Níl sé doshamhlaithe go dtarlódh a leithéíd agus go gcruthófar bacainní d’oideachas trasteorann.”
An taobh eile: Daltaí an Tuaiscirt ag dul ó dheas
Is iad contaetha Dhún na nGall, Mhuineacháin, An Lú agus Átha Cliath na cinn is mó éilimh i measc daltaí ó Thuaisceart Éireann. Sa bhliain 2012/13, chláraigh daltaí ó Thuaisceart Éireann in 11 contae éagsúil i bPoblacht na hÉireann.
Bhí Átha Cliath ar cheann de na contaetha is mó éilimh d’oideachas trasteorann idir 2007/2011. Bhí 24 dalta ar mheán acu gach bhliain. In 2012/13, 5 duine a bhí cláraithe d’oideachas trasteorann sa chontae.
Le cúig bliana anuas, tháinig os cionn 70% de dhaltaí ó Thuaisceart na hÉireann a thug faoi oideachas iarbhunscoile sa Phoblacht ó Chontaetha an Dúin, Fear Manach agus Tír Eoghain.
Torthaí Suirbhé ar Oideachas Trasteorann le plé Dé hAoine, 9 Samhna
I Mí an Nollaig 2011, thug na hAirí Oideachais, Ruairí Quinn agus John O’Dowd, faoi shuirbhé i gceantair teorann le tomhais a dhéanamh ar riachtanais oideachais sna gceantair úd. Tá torthaí an tsuirbhé le plé ag cruinniú de chuid na gComhaireachta Thuaidh Theas i gCathair Ard Mhacha, 9 Samhain.
Alt iomlán ar www.meoneile.ie
Extra marks for Civil Service exams in Irish abolished
Samhain 1, 2013
A system whereby those completing Civil Service entrance exams in Irish got an extra 6 per cent added to their marks has been abolished by the Government.
At the weekly Cabinet meeting, Ministers accepted a recommendation by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin to discontinue the bonus points system on the basis that it is an anomaly and its intention of promoting Irish speakers within the Civil Service has not worked.
The Cabinet accepted the argument that there are better means of ensuring there are civil servants and public servants with a proficiency in Irish to serve Gaeltacht areas or to work in specific areas where a good standard of Irish is necessary.
However, Mr Howlin’s department has yet to devise a specific plan to achieve this aim. It has indicated panels will be set aside for those who are fluent or proficient in Irish.
Decision criticised Conradh na Gaeilge was critical of the decision. Its president Donnchadh Ó hAodha said the abolished system had not been replaced by a satisfactory alternative.
“The new proposed system to set aside 6 per cent of recruitment panels in the Civil Service for new employees with Irish is not adequate.
“Instead of being ambitious, brave and doing the right thing, the Government is going to further weaken the service provided by the State in Irish for the Gaeltacht and Irish language speaking community.”
He questioned how the policy decision tallied with the Government’s 20-year strategy for the Irish language.
Julian de Spáinn, general secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge was also critical of the change.
“There is no doubt but that every government since the 1970s has made a mess of encouraging the Irish language in the Civil Service and providing a service of a high standard in Irish to the Gaeltacht and Irish language speaking community.”
www.irishtimes.com
Speaking with one voice
Samhain 1, 2013
A chara, –
It was great to read about “One Voice”, various language teaching professionals co-operating toward the vision of a multilingual Irish population (Education, October 29th).
The strategy of an integrated language curriculum with Irish and English at its core and involving teaching through the medium of second and third languages as a matter of course has long been championed by Prof David Little of TCD and is certainly an idea whose time has come.
The Finnish education system is often held out as an ideal by Irish commentators a nd rightly so. The Finnish system has multilingualism at its core, rooted in early acquisition of the country’s two national languages: Finnish and Swedish.
Teacher training is key. High standards must be expected in order to be achieved. Investment is needed but even more important is the understanding that the acquisition of languages to a very high standard by teachers of those languages is a condition precedent.
We are the most gregarious people in the world. We are natural linguistics , we just don’ t know it yet.
– Is mise,
DÁITHÍ Mac CÁRTHAIGH BL,
An Leabharlann Dlí, Baile Átha Cliath 7.
www.irishtimes.com
Scéalta ó Oirthear na Gaillimhe
Samhain 1, 2013
Ciorcail Comhrá – Cúrsaí – Comórtais – Deiseanna eile
Cláraigh do chúrsaí Gaeilge ar líne
Gaeilge gan Stró + Gramadach gan Stró
Íoc €80, €30 le fáil ar ais*
Clinic Obair Baile
Tá cuidiú ar fáil do thuismitheoirí leanaí bunscoile … mar aon le tae agus caifé i gcúl an tí. Gach Luan ó 14.45 go 16.15 i rith na scoilbhliana … ar ais an 11 Samhain.
Eolas: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
An bhfuil tú ábalta Scrabble i nGaeilge a láimhseáil?
Bí linn don chéad oíche eile den Club Scrabble sa bheár in Óstán Locha Riach, Dé Máirt, 12 Samhain, ag a 7.30 in. Do ghaeilgeoirí líofa, d’fhoghlaimeoirí is do lucht na gcúpla focal …. Fáilte roimh chách!
Eolas: 087 1953884 / oifig@lochariach.com
Ciorcal do Dhéagóirí
Ciorcal iarscoile do scoláirí meánscoile sa chéad is sa dara bliain gach Céadaoin, ó 16.15 go 17.15 … pléifear le hobair baile mar threoir sna seisiúin ach is ciorcal comhrá go príomhá a bheidh anseo, deis do dhéagóirí Gaeilge labhartha a chleachtadh … ar €2 gach seachtain … ar ais an 13 Samhain.
Eolas: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
Oíche Chláraithe do Choláistí Samhraidh in Oirthear na Gaillimhe
Beidh coláiste samhraidh lae ar siúl i mBaile Átha an Rí agus i nGleann na Madadh do dhaoine óga, 12-18 mbliana d’aois, an samhraidh seo chugainn. Bí in óstán Raheen Woods, i mBaile Átha an Rí, Dé Céadaoin, 6 Samhain, ag a 18.00 le clárú dó.
Eolas: 087-3903994 / colaisteneifinn@gmail.com
Comórtas Gearrscéalaíochta Uí Mháine
Seo comórtas scríobhneoireachta atá eagraithe ag Craobh Grealláin, Conradh na Gaeilge, Béal Átha na Slua, Co. na Gaillimhe. Do dhaoine ós cionn 18 mbliain d’aois atá sé agus tá duais €300 le bronnadh ar an bhuaiteoir … Spriocdháta: 1 Feabhra 2014
Eolas: Seosamh Ó Beirgin, gearrsceal@eircom.net
Féilire Gaeilge d’Oirthear na Gaillimhe
Tá féilire d’imeachtaí Gaeilge nó dátheangacha ar líne anois. Seo ardán saor in aisce do na heagrais, na grúpaí agus na daoine aonair uile atá gníomhach sa cheantar. Cuir imeacht, club, nó eile leis an fhéilire: 091-870718 / oifig@lochariach.com
Club Súgartha Gaeilge
Bíonn an club súgartha do leanaí bunscoile, i Rang 2–6, ar siúl gach Satharn scoile, i nGráig na Muilte Iarainn, ón 13.00 go 15.00. Féach ar na grianghraif … ar ais an 9 Samhain.
Eolas: Ruth 091-870718 / Maura Kelly Stewart 087-2187924
Cóipcheart 2013 © Gaeilge Locha Riach. Gach ceart ar cosaint.
Gaeilge Locha Riach • 3 Seanbhóthar na Gaillimhe • Baile Locha Riach, Co na Gaillimhe • Ireland
oifig@lochariach.com
