Two Irish language schools being lined up to join state controlled sector
October 17, 2016
TWO Irish language schools are being lined up to join the sector traditionally associated with non-Catholic education.
Schools in south Derry and Belfast are working with officials with a view to transforming to state-controlled status.
Discussions are at an early stage but should the plans be approved it will double the number of inter-denominational state controlled Irish-medium primary schools.
Irish-medium schools are often perceived to be Catholic, but are non-denominational.
The majority of children that attend are Catholic, however, schools including Gaelscoil an Chaistil in Ballycastle almost have as many `other/no religion’ pupils as those who identify as Catholic.
Only two Irish-medium providers have made the switch to the state sector, which mostly funds non-Catholic education.
The first, in 2004, was Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain in Belfast. It was followed in 2012 by Gaelscoil Neachtain in Dungiven.
The Department of Education told the Irish News that the two schools considering a move at present were Scoil an Droichid in Belfast and Gaelscoil na tSeanchaí in Magherafelt.
Numbers at Gaelscoil na tSeanchaí have spiralled since 2011 when it had just 25 pupils. Last year, 125 were enrolled.
Pupil numbers at Scoil an Droichid are also strong – it had 157 children last year.
The school was one of 15 told in 2014 that it would benefit from a £170 million investment in new buildings. In addition, it was one of two Irish schools that won a fight for funding to host `nurture’ units for children at risk of falling behind.
A department spokeswoman said under the relevant legislation, it would be for the Education Authority (EA) to bring forward development proposals to have the two schools recognised as controlled.
“The department understands that the EA is working with each school to prepare a robust case for change to support the publication of a development proposal,” she said.
“If the EA is satisfied that the case can be made then it will commence the statutory pre-publication consultation following which a development proposal will be published and a two month consultation period will commence.”
