Minister to allow gaelscoils delay teaching of English

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe is to overturn a controversial directive by his predecessor Mary Hanafin that gaelscoil pupils must be taught English from their second term in junior infants.

Ms Hanafin’s circular letter to schools in July 2007 was strongly opposed by many of the country’s 300-plus all-Irish primary schools, some of which teach pupils no English until senior infants or first class. The policy of total early immersion in a second language is backed by international research which points to subsequent educational benefits, and the directive went against the recommendation of the statutory curriculum body that schools be allowed continue existing policies until further research was carried out here.

A High Court challenge against the directive initiated in late 2007 was due for hearing next week, but the minister has now decided to withdraw the circular. Instead, the Department of Education plans to prescribe the primary curriculum by regulation and pay the legal costs of plaintiffs Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn in Tralee, Co Kerry, Gaelscoil Nás na Rí in Naas, Co Kildare and An Foras Pátrúnachta, patron body to 57 all-Irish primary schools.

The new rules would allow a school delay teaching English until the second term of senior infants following consultation with the patron, teachers and parents’ association. But English would have to be taught from the outset if a parents seeks it.

Foras Pátrúnachta general secretary Caoimhín O hEaghra said the turnaround was a welcome recognition of total immersion’s benefits for pupils. But, he said, any regulations should be the subject of consultation with interested education parties before being introduced.

Meanwhile, the Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI) meets today to discuss yesterday’s announcement by Mr O’Keeffe that it is to be abolished. Last July, An Bord Snip Nua recommended the move to save €3 million.

Mr O’Keeffe said NUI’s role in higher education is no longer sustainable and many of its functions could be carried out by its constituent universities.

NUI Chancellor Senator Maurice Manning said the educational objectives behind the decision could be achieved otherwise and abolition of the NUI, which has 15 staff, will be a loss in cultural terms and to higher education.