Minister Foley welcomes publication of case-study report on schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme
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Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today welcomed the publication of the first of a series of research and evaluation reports on the experiences of schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme.
The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme on the provision of education through the medium of Irish in participating Gaeltacht schools.
The report describes the progress made to date by these schools in implementing the language-based criteria for immersion education. It is based on findings from case studies, conducted by the Educational Research Centre (ERC) in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Inspectorate. The report also includes schools’ self-reflections on the scheme to date. These provide an excellent insight into the schools’ own innovations and good practices, and on their learnings to date.
The case studies were carried out in twelve primary schools and seven post-primary schools and form part of a three-year research and evaluation study.
Minister Foley said:
“This comprehensive research and evaluation report marks an important step in the implementation of the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme.
“I am delighted that the analysis of the research findings of the ERC and the Inspectorate demonstrate how schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme have taken major steps forward. Schools are developing their capacity as key hubs in the community to support the extended use of the Irish language and culture in the Gaeltacht.
“The findings highlight aspects of good practice in the implementation of immersion education in Gaeltacht schools, such as the use of early-intervention strategies to support language learning, the stronger links fostered with the local community, and the renewed emphasis on the language enrichment of students. The report also emphasises aspects of practice that need to be further developed in some cases, such as planning to facilitate the effective transition from early learning and care settings to primary school, and strengthening the role of parents and students in the action-planning and school self-evaluation processes.”
The case studies illustrate how the scheme is enabling schools to promote the extended use of Irish in local communities. Links with naíonraí and language-planning personnel are being strengthened to promote the rich heritage of the Gaeltacht.
Minister Foley continued:
“School leaders are successfully communicating the vision of the scheme to enhance language provision in the school. This in turn is having a positive impact on how school communities are using Irish in the school.
“It is heartening to see that the two-year period of early immersion in Irish is implemented in all case-study primary schools in the Gaeltacht. Many innovative strategies are also being used in post-primary case-study schools to extend the use of Irish.
“Progress has also been made in the use of technology as a teaching resource. Resources provided by national agencies, such as An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), have enhanced practice in Gaeltacht classrooms.
“I believe that the ideas and exemplars of good practice in this case-study report will support and build upon the continuing work of Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools and early learning and care settings in the provision of high quality Irish-medium education for all of our young people”.
The Report on case-study schools participating in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme can be accessed here
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