Schools act promptly to meet English language needs of new pupils

THE Joint Managerial Body (JMB), representing the management of the 400 voluntary secondary schools in Ireland, is very disappointed at much of the ill-informed commentary in the media over the last few days in relation to the provision of language support for newcomer students in this country.

The JMB emphasises that schools have been very innovative and caring in their welcome for and full integration of students for whom English is a second language. The commitment of school management and staff is even more noteworthy when one sets it off against the reality of serious underfunding and lack of experience in the mainstream Irish education system of providing for the broad educational and social needs of students for whom English is a second language.

It is the practice in voluntary secondary schools to identify the student’s English language needs at the point of entry to the school and then adopt a model of support for that student which not just responds to his/her language needs but also places an emphasis on integrating the student into the mainstream classes and activities from day one.