End of term report on sport and language programmes

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has given an update on the success of her primary school sports and languages programmes.

During her first year in office the Minister developed new programmes to introduce primary school children to organised sports and to a second language. Due to the popularity of the programmes in schools, both were expanded during their second year.

The sports programme is supported by both the GAA and IFA, who have recruited qualified coaches to visit primary schools to help young children develop their interest and skills in Gaelic sports or soccer.

The languages programme offers primary schools the opportunity to work with peripatetic language tutors to deliver Irish and Spanish. The programme will be expanded in September to include Polish, because of the number of Polish children in our schools here.

The main aim of the programme is to offer an enjoyable experience of language learning for our youngest pupils, with a view to encouraging more to continue with languages at post-primary level and beyond.

The Minister said: “These are exciting programmes where primary schools choose to opt in. I am pleased that traditional barriers have been removed to give children the chance to experience a sport or language that would not usually be available to them.

“It is important that we give our children the opportunity to choose a healthy and active lifestyle. By introducing them early on to organised sports there is a greater chance this interest will stay with them throughout their school years and beyond.

“Since the sports programme was introduced in 2007, over £3.7million has been made available. Every week the 62 GAA and IFA coaches work in 600 schools with over 32,000 children. I have been impressed with the very positive support from both organisations in getting involved in this programme from the very start. They see the potential to not only nurture our children’s interest in sports but also to identify talent of the future.

“The languages programme gives children the opportunity to learn either Irish or Spanish. Since the programme began we have made around £1.5million available and during the last school year we had 323 schools and around 13,000 children participating every week. This is a fantastic level of support from schools and children.

“Irish is our native tongue and in recent years there has been a welcome increase in the number of people choosing to learn it. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language and is the first language in many countries around the world. Due to the increase in newcomer children from Poland in our schools we will be offering Polish lessons to primary schools from September. There is clear evidence that the earlier in life children begin to learn a second language the easier it is for them to become fluent.

“I would pay tribute to all involved in making these programmes a success and for making our children’s experiences in schools more rewarding.”

Notes to Editors:

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