Irish-medium education goes from strength to strength - Ruane

Dúirt an tAire Oideachais, Caitríona Ruane, go gcuidíonn an Teastas nua sa Tumoideachas Gaeilge do mhúinteoirí le tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge i scoileanna.

Bhronn Aire Ruane teastais ar mhúinteoirí a chríochnaigh an cúrsa, atá creidiúnaithe ag Ollscoil Uladh. Dúirt an tAire: “Le blianta beaga anuas, chonaic muid fás socair ar líon na bpáistí agus na ndaoine óga atá á múineadh in earnáil an Ghaeloideachais. Sainaithníonn an cúrsa seo na hinniúlachtaí ar leith atá de dhíth chun oideachas a sholáthar i suíomhanna luathbhlianta trí thumadh sa Ghaeilge.

Tugaim ómós d’fhadbhreathnaitheacht na ndaoine atá bainteach le hAltram, mar nach amháin gur fhorbair siad an cúrsa seo, ach d’áirithigh siad a chaighdeán agus a phraiticiúlacht trí chreidiúnú a fháil ó Ollscoil Uladh. Tugaim gach dea-ghuí do na múinteoirí a chríochnaigh an cúrsa agus a bhain an teastas amach. Feabhsóidh a dtiomantas na deiseanna oideachais le haghaidh páistí i mórán réimsí.”

Is grúpa tacaíochta réigiúnach pobalbhunaithe é Altram do thionscadail Ghaeilge  luathbhlianta agus seirbhísí tacaíochta teaghlaigh a bunaíodh sa bhliain 1990 ag réamhscóileanna áitiúla in Iúr Cinn Trá, Ard Mhacha, Doire agus Béal Feirste.

Sa bhliain 2007, bhunaigh Altram grúpa oibre, a chuimsigh ionadaithe ó Altram, Ollscoil Uladh, Coláiste Réigiúnach an Iarthuaiscirt, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta agus Iontaobhas Ultach, chun an Teastas Ollscoile a fhorbairt. Tar éis 2 bhliana, bhronn Ollscoil Uladh creidiúnú go hoifigiúil ar an chúrsa ag leibhéal Teastais. Is é an Teastas sa Tumoideachas Gaeilge an chéad cheann den chineál seo in Éirinn agus sa Bhreatain araon. Léirigh údaráis sa Bhreatain Bheag agus in Albain spéis sa Teastas a ghlacadh chucu féin.

Nótaí d’eagarthóirí:

1. Fiosrúcháin ó na meáin chumarsáide chuig Preasoifig na Roinne Oideachais ar 028 9127 9207. Taobh amuigh d’uaireanta oifige, déan teagmháil, le do thoil, leis an Phreas-Oifigeach Dualgais ar an uimhir ghlaoire 07699 715 440 agus cuirfear scairt ar ais ort.

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said that a new Irish Immersion Certificate for teachers helps support the use of Irish in schools.

Minister Ruane presented the certificates to teachers who had completed the course, which has been accredited by the University of Ulster. The Minister said: “In recent years we have seen a steady growth in the number of children and young people educated in the Irish-medium sector. This new course recognises the particular competencies needed for the delivery of education in early years settings through immersion in the Irish language.

“I would pay tribute to the foresight of those associated with Altram who have not only developed this course, but ensured its quality and practicality through obtaining accreditation by the University of Ulster.  I would offer my best wishes to the teachers who have completed the course and earned the certificate. Their commitment will enhance the educational opportunities of children in many areas.”

Altram is a community-based regional support group for Irish language early years projects and family support services which was founded in 1990 by local preschools in Newry, Armagh, Derry and Belfast.

In 2007 Altram formed a working group to develop the University Certificate which included representatives from Altram, the University of Ulster, the North West Regional College, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta and the Ultach Trust.   After 2 years the University of Ulster officially awarded the course accreditation at a Certificate level. The Immersion Certificate is the first of its kind in both Ireland and Britain.  Authorities in Wales and Scotland have expressed a keen interest in adopting the Certificate.

Notes to editors:

1. Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.