Gaelscoileanna granted injunction against minister

A DIRECTIVE from Education Minister Mary Hanafin that Gaelscoileanna should begin teaching English to pupils no later than the second term of junior infants has been subjected to legal challenge.

The High Court yesterday granted a temporary injunction to two Gaelscoileanna and An Foras Pátrúnachta which is patron body to 54 all-Irish primary schools, restraining the minister from implementing the circular letter issued in July.

The letter directed that at least two-and-a-half hours a week, or half an hour a day, should be set aside to teach English from the second term of junior infants.