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Aonghus
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 9858 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 06:11 am: |
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http://www.gaelport.com/sonrai-nuachta?NewsItemID=4367 quote:“We have seen huge demand shown for this school in Ratoath, but the Department refuses to differentiate between new schools on the basis of the language of tuition in the school. This means that the Irish language rights of both parents and children are being disregarded and everyone involved in this campaign believes that this is a situation that cannot continue. Not only do we want to see Gaelscoil Ráth Tó recognised, but we wish to see the Department change their criteria for the recognition of new schools, which is currently stacked again new Irish language schools. The result of this is that no new Gaelscoil has been approved since 2008 and the Department have not indicated that this situation will change,” http://gaelscoilrathto.ning.com/ |
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Seamás91
Member Username: Seamás91
Post Number: 229 Registered: 10-2009
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 03:48 am: |
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Why should a gaelscoil look for recognition from a lackluster government? It is this kind of red tape that stunts the development of any progression of the Irish language in the Galltacht. I think that gaelscoils should be set up with or without government recognition under a community intiative. If they can do it above in Northern Ireland, where Irsih isn't enshrined in acts and legislature and so on, then surely we ourselves can become the pioneers of the Irish language in this day of age, for the sake of our future generations' identity and for the rememberance of our departed ancestors. 'mar ná beidh ár leithidí arís ann' -Tomás O'Croitháin (An t-Oiléanach)
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Guevara
Member Username: Guevara
Post Number: 74 Registered: 04-2007
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 05:23 am: |
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The Department of Education has stated that any new state schools which will be built in areas of high population growth necessitating a new school will be English medium only so on that basis they are 1 denying parents in those areas the right to a choice of Irish medium or English medium education for their children and 2 They assume that parents in those areas want English medium education without consulting them at all This also implies that all children in Ireland esp immigrants should have English only rather than a bilingual approach. Of course this goes against the whole Stráitéis Fiche Bliain where it's implied that Irish language education will be supported. I think in the short term as in for next year a number of schools should start without oficial Department support in the hope that by the start of schoolyear 2011/2012 all those schools would get official recogntion. |
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Guevara
Member Username: Guevara
Post Number: 76 Registered: 04-2007
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 09:26 am: |
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I've an idea on how to set up Gaelscoils without Govt permission/recognition and that is retired teachers with fluent Irish could volunteer to teach in the school as could those teachers currently unemployed if they committed to say a 3-4 month period then two teachers at four month stints each would cover Sep to April. This would mean those unemployed could keep up with their teaching skills and I propose that schools are set up in peoples homes like the Basques did in the 1970's. Just an idea! |
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Aonghus
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 9861 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 01:01 pm: |
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Because if a school is recognised, the teachers and various other things are funded. Personally, I couldn't afford to send my children to a school which had to meet the complete costs from parents pockets. |
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Sineadw
Member Username: Sineadw
Post Number: 353 Registered: 06-2009
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 04:22 pm: |
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Yeah that is true, a lot of costs for parents as it is. What is yer opinion of home schooling? Has anyone done this up to a certain age with their kids maybe? I'd be tempted to do it if there was no Gaelscoil available. |
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Aonghus
Member Username: Aonghus
Post Number: 9868 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 04:25 pm: |
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How would you do it and hold down a job? Also, would you feel that you had the full range of skills? Those would be my two main concerns. You'd have to put some work into the non curricular aspects that school covers too - socialisation, etc. Not impossible, but requires thought and action. |
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Sineadw
Member Username: Sineadw
Post Number: 354 Registered: 06-2009
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 04:54 pm: |
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For a start I am very pro-preschool anyway, kids can meet other kids there, and if you were then to teach your kids from age 4/5 to age 7-8, during which socialisation would be through children of friends, their cousins, neighbours, then you could be confident that they had enough Irish to go on then to national school and learn the other subjects. This would be if there is no gaelscoil available mind. I'll be 100% following Rath To's example though to get a Gaelscoil going if there isn't one where I settle down. |
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Seánw
Member Username: Seánw
Post Number: 601 Registered: 07-2009
| Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 04:56 pm: |
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Homeschooling is probably much more common out here than in Ireland, so there are a number of resources built up for everyone to help one another. For instance, full blown curricula, accreditation (for recognition by universities), and networks built up for social activities. Organizations give discounts for homeschool groups, etc. The bottom line, as always, is the money. It is a big sacrifice for the woman (usually) to give up her job, if she hasn't already, and to then become an amateur educator, while balancing the responsibilities of the other children. The man needs to then take another job which pays more, or there is cutting back. It's a hard choice, and the economies these days are square against this sort of life. They are built up for government watching the kids while the two parents are working. But I know a lot of families doing it and who are very happy with it and successful. The little known secret is that generally the kids excel over their peers. I think this is because the nature of the beast dictates that the child gets a more focused learning environment. One can think of the gaps also -- organized sports, higher level course like Calculus, etc. There are here also half-and-half programs with 3 days at school and 2 at home. Again, I am not aware of Ireland's situation, but the possibilities are there is you want it. (And you've got to want it, or your child won't want it.) I ndiaidh a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.
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Anita Sheppard (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From:
| Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 08:55 am: |
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Hi There, Just following your post's about Gaelscoil Ráth Tó. I am the chairperson on the establishing committee for Gaelscoil Ráth Tó and we will not be looking for any fees for tuition from parents who wish to send their children to our school. Gaelscoil Ráth Tó is fundraising national and internationally to fund both the school and teacher's salary. Parents will encur the same costs as they would if they were sending their child to a school that was recognised by the Department of Education. There is alot of work involved and through the support of the Irish groups involved in the Áitheantas campaign and the dedication of the parents involved, we will open Gaelscoil Ráth Tó on the 30th Aug 2010, at no financial burden to parents. |
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Taidhgín
Member Username: Taidhgín
Post Number: 756 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 10:51 pm: |
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An bhfuil Gaeilge agat, Anita. Beidh áthas orm síntiús airgid a thabhairt daoibh má thugann tú seoladh nó uimhir ghutháin anseo. |
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Sineadw
Member Username: Sineadw
Post Number: 355 Registered: 06-2009
| Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 11:30 am: |
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Comhgairdeas libh Anita. Do you think that there is any chance of recouping or getting backdated any monies spent on the school when (please God) you do get the official recognition? Is there any history of this with other schools that had to go through what you are now? |
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