Actions under way to support the educational needs of minority ethnic students include information for schools on the integration of asylum seekers and Travellers; additional resources for schools to support the needs of students for whom English is not the mother tongue; resource packs for schools prepared by organisations such as the National Consultative Committee on Anti – Racism and Interculturalism; a video for second level schools highlighting excerpts from the "Mono" television programme materials and training for teachers through funding the work of Integrate Ireland Language Training and other bodies; development in progress by the NCCA of guidelines for primary and post-primary teachers on how the existing curriculum can be mediated and adapted to reflect the emergence of an expanding multi-cultural society; supports provided by the Reception and Integration Agency to assist in the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into schools; and expanding provision for language and literacy tuition for adults for whom English is not the mother tongue through the VEC literacy services.
As part of the development of a National Action Plan on Anti-Racism and Interculturalism, my Department has established a working group which engaged in extensive consultations leading to the development of a draft set of recommendations for the education sector for input into the overall national plan. These recommendations centre on enhancing policies at national, organisational and institutional level; promoting greater dialogue with interests and non governmental organisations; providing awareness and development programmes for staff; enhancing language tuition, translation, and support services; developing culturally appropriate materials; and increasing the focus on monitoring, research and evaluation. This work is being progressed on a phased basis as resources permit.
