Supports for primary schools to strengthen teaching of Irish

PRIMARY schools are to receive extra supports for the teaching of Irish in order to strengthen the language, Education Minister Mary Hanafin announced yesterday.

But the minister said she has made no decision yet on whether to go ahead with an all-Irish education centre, first announced by the Government seven years ago.

At the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) annual congress, she said that a team of 30 Irish language experts will be set up by next autumn.

They will provide targeted training to improve primary teachers’ fluency and competency in Irish, with an emphasis on developing interesting and effective ways of teaching the language.

“When it comes to Irish, the only place the vast majority of children will pick it up is at school. I know that carrying the flame for the Irish language presents a major challenge for your schools,” she told delegates.

However, the minister said she is determined to ensure teachers get the support they need to promote a love of Irish among the next generation.

Other measures being provided include a day’s training on drama through Irish, and funding for summer camps for 10 to 13-year-olds from summer 2007.

The emphasis at these local camps will be on learning Irish through games and sport and priority will be given to supporting camps in disadvantaged areas.

Ms Hanafin also plans to provide scholarships for children from disadvantaged areas to go to the Gaeltacht.

On Monday, INTO president Sheila Nunan called for an overhaul of Irish language policy and suggested primary pupils should not have to read or write Irish until fifth or sixth class.

The minister said measures to address the specific needs of Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools are also being examined. However, she said no decision on the proposed education centre for teachers in these schools has been made.

It was announced in 1999 that the centre would be built in Ballyvourney in the Co Cork Gaeltacht, but Ms Hanafin said part of the work it would do is being carried out already.

“Since then, we have the Comhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta set up under the Education Act and I am considering what parts of the original planned centre are still needed,” she said.

She said, however, that if an all-Irish education centre is developed, it will be built in Ballyvourney.