Language barrier in schools could create ‘dangerous’ society divide

THE marginalisation of immigrant children in schools has the potential to become a “dangerously divisive” factor in society, warned Fine Gael’s spokesman for Immigration and Integration.

Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten said teachers are without the necessary support and educational resources to integrate immigrant children, and urged the Department of Education to overhaul the current system of teaching English to foreign children.

He said schools have been left “high and dry” and that teachers are hugely frustrated with the situation.