Irish-medium partners come together

Collaboration between experts from across Ireland and Scotland will deliver a new range of innovative Irish-medium educational resources.

That was the message from Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, today as she addressed a special seminar in Belfast hosted by the Council for Curriculum, Examination and Assessment (CCEA).

The seminar saw the beginning of a collaboration initiative between CCEA and the Scottish organisation Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, to provide a common resource for both Irish and Gàidhlig Medium schools.

The project also involves North-South partnership, with input from the Department of Education and Science (DES), Foras na Gaeilge and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG).

Opening the event, the Minister said: “Irish medium is the fastest growing sector of the local education system, seeing significant growth in recent years. There is clear and increasing demand for education at all ages and levels delivered in the native language of our island and this is very encouraging.

“This new initiative will galvanise links between the sectors in Ireland and Scotland and see an unprecedented pooling of expertise. This will enable the development of a cutting edge range of resources for Irish medium education, crucially providing equality of provision with English medium education.

“I thank all the organisations from across Ireland and Scotland for their commitment to this progressive initiative and look forward to seeing the results of their hard work in the future.”

Richard Hanna, Director of Education Strategy at CCEA said: “There has already been much good work between the various partners here today, however this seminar offers a great opportunity to bring together all of the available resources and look at ways to collaborate in the future, to ensure that schools and students have the best possible materials.

This kind of collaborative work means that we can work towards a common goal, providing quality resources and ensuring value for money.”

More than 40 people attended the event, which also included a performance by the choir of Scoil na Fuiseoige, Belfast.

Notes to editors:

1. The Review of Irish-medium education highlighted the need to increase the range of resources for the sector and recommended the identification of development and co-operation opportunities, particularly on an all-Ireland basis.
2. Stòrlann was established by the Scottish Executive in 1999 to co-ordinate the production and distribution of curriculum resources for Gaelic education. Stòrlann is a limited company and a registered charity.
3. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.