Cutbacks threat to Irish language schools

[Harold Schiffman]

Cutbacks threat to Irish language schools

By John Walshe Education Editor
Monday December 10 2007

A serious threat has emerged to the future of Gaelscoileanna which are
among the most successful second level schools in the country. The
Irish Independent has learned that the Department of Education and
Science Building Unit has proposed that no new second level
Gaelscoilenna be built. Instead it proposes that where there is demand
for a Gaelscoil then an all-Irish stream or a separate unit be built
as part of an existing or new post primary school. The proposal is
aimed primarily at saving money but has led to fierce resistance
within the Department. It is understood that the Minister Mary
Hanafin, a committed Irish language speaker, is opposed to the move
and will almost certainly reject it.

The Department would not make any comment other than to say that no
change in policy was envisaged. Sources said there would be political
uproar if the proposal were accepted and no stand-alone Gaelscoileanna
were built in the future. "Having a separate unit or aonad only works
in a very large school," said one source. Another said that if an
all-Irish stream was attached to an ordinary second level school it
would have great difficulties retaining the all-Irish atmosphere.
"Inevitably the pupils from the Irish stream would end up talking
English in the playground with the other students," he said.

The Minister cannot afford another row with the Irish language lobby.
She has already upset supporters of all-Irish education by insisting
that junior infants have to be taught English at least by the start of
the second term, but this has been the subject of a High Court
challenge. Although the proposal not to build any more Gaelscoileanna
is virtually certain to be shot down, the fact that it was even tabled
will cause alarm in some quarters.

Successful

There are 44 all-Irish second level schools, including four new
schools in 2007, and one new school as a result of the amalgamation of
two schools. They are made up as follows; l Twenty-seven come under
Vocational Education Committees.

l Thirteen are categorised as secondary schools, most under religious
patronage (Catholic), three under patronage by Irish language schools
patron group An Foras Patrunachta.

l Four are community schools.

Gaelscoileanna feature among the most successful feeder schools for
universities with both Colaiste Eoin and Colaiste Iosagain appearing
in the top 10.

- John Walshe Education Editor


-- http://www.independent.ie/education/latest-news/cutbacks-threat-to-irish-language-schools-1242076.html
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