State may force school to teach English

EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin is considering using her legal powers to force a Co Kerry gaelscoil to teach infant pupils the level of English set out in the primary curriculum.

Her department is seeking legal advice after disagreement with the board of Gaelscoil Uí Easmainn in Tralee about its policy of total immersion in Irish for junior and senior infants.

Under the Education Act, a school could lose its recognition and State funding if it does not implement the curriculum, although such measures have not been taken before.