Gaelcholáiste Bhun Chranncha Receives Recognition For September 2007
March 12, 2007
AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE DEMAND AND CONTINUOUS GROWTH OF THE IRISH-MEDIUM EDUCATION SECTOR.
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. are pleased that Gaelcholáiste Bhun Chranncha, Donegal is to receive grant recognition after satisfying the criteria led down by the Minister for Education and Science. This recognition comes into effect in September of this year, when the new all–Irish, co-educational secondary school will open its doors for the first time.
Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, the Director of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. said that this decision comes as a result of the effective work of the founding committee, of the Donegal VEC and continuous support given by GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. She said, "Gaelcholáiste Bhun Cranncha, was a perfect example of the growth and development of the Irish-medium education sector and of the internationally accepted practice of immersion learning."
The new Gaelcholáiste is under the patronage of the Donegal VEC and it will serve the Inis Eoin area. Gaelcholáiste Bhun Cranncha is the fourth Irish-medium secondary school to receive recognition for the coming school year. A further 5 gaelscoileanna (primary level) are currently awaiting decisions on their applications for recognition from the Minister and the Department of Education and Science. The amount of new schools constantly being set up is a testament to the increased demand from the community and its knowledge of the benefits of bi-lingualism and immersion learning.
Mícheál Ó Broin, President of GAELSCOILEANNA TEO., welcomed the recent news of recognition for the new Gaelcholáiste in Buncrana. He said, "This new recognition is a positive sign for the future of the Irish-language in Inis Eoin. We are witnessing phenomenal growth in the Irish-medium education sector, which we hope will continue with the good will of the community, the hard work of the various patronages and founding committees and for our part, we in GAELSCOILEANNA TEO will offer as much support as we can to this growth and development. We also are grateful to the Department of Education and Science for their continued cooperation now and into the future in establishing and developing this school and every Irish-medium school."
GAELSCOILEANNA TEO. is the coordinating body for Irish-medium schools. It helps parents and local groups to found new Irish-medium schools and assists schools already in existence. There are 163 primary and 38 post-primary schools that offer Irish-medium education.
Further Information:
Nóra Ní Loingsigh 01-477 3158
Mícheál Ó Broin 087-9467700
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