Research on Irish-medium Units shows that independent immersion-education schools are the only satisfactory option
Gaeloideachas, the national lead organisation supporting the development of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education, has welcomed the publication of results of research on the current provision of Irish-medium Units (Aonaid) addressing key questions around establishment, management, and retention. The research was undertaken by TJ Ó Ceallaigh, Muiris Ó Laoire, and Máire Uí Chonghaile.
“These results, which are now a critical instrument for the Department of Education in the development of the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, are of significant importance,” said Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, Chief Executive of Gaeloideachas. “While it is very comprehensive research, undertaken over a long period of time with valuable input from the communities of Irish-medium units and others, there is no aspect of it that differs from our understanding of the challenges facing Aonaid.”
Gaeloideachas has long advocated that clear, consistent criteria and steps should be set out for existing Aonaid in order for them to be recognised as independent Irish-medium schools of their own.
While there is hope that this roadmap will be confirmed in the new policy, that is only one aspect of the wider question, according to ní Ghréacháin. “Indeed, we now have the scientific evidence to back up the evidence we already had – Aonaid closing, or struggling with student numbers, for example – that this model does not work as adequate provision of Irish-medium second-level education. Despite the excellent efforts made by teachers and coordinating teachers who are absolutely committed to Irish-medium education, this is the reality,” she said. “Regardless of the promises that the current model will be improved, as long as Aonaid exist in the shadow of English-medium schools, the challenges will remain. The practical result of this is inadequate provision of second-level education, under the auspices of a school with an English-medium ethos. That is not immersion education.”
The Department of Edcuation now has an opportunity to take a pioneering approach by fully accepting the research that has been undertaken, immediately empowering the existing Aonaid to become independent schools and making the establishment of independent schools a cornerstone of Department policies and actions, either as fully independent schools from the outset or connected to an existing Gaelcholáiste in cases where this support is required.
Ends
Contact
Bláthnaid ní Ghréacháin, CEO| blathnaid@gaeloideachas.ie | 01 8535195 | 086-8050335
Clodagh Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, President | clodaghni@gmail.com | 087-6232191
Notes for the Editor
Gaeloideachas
Gaeloideachas is a national lead organisation supporting the development of Irish-medium and Gaeltacht education at primary and second-level.
Gaeloideachas provides advice, help, and support to parents who want to give the opportunity of Irish-medium education to their children, as well as support services and advocacy on behalf of schools within and outside of Gaeltacht areas, together with naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht.