Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
313. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the recently published chief inspector's report for 2010 to 2012, which found that there are weaknesses in the teaching and learning of Irish in a significant proportion of schools; the measures being taken to address these weaknesses and to the teaching and learning of Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13145/14]
View answerThe Chief Inspector's report highlights the fact that primary inspectors judged that the teaching of Irish was satisfactory or better in 80% of lessons observed during incidental inspections and that the quality of pupils' learning outcomes was satisfactory or better in 76% of the lessons observed. At second level, inspectors judged the quality of teaching to be satisfactory in 72% of the lessons observed and the quality of learning to be satisfactory or better in 68% of the lessons observed. However, the report does highlight a number of areas in relation to the teaching of Irish where improvement is required. My Department has already put a range of support measures in place, particularly in relation to curriculum, assessment and teacher education, as part of its ongoing implementation of the 20 Year Strategy for Irish.
At initial teacher education stage, measures to enhance the development of Irish teaching skills are key parts of the reconfiguration of primary and relevant post-primary programmes. Both programmes have been extended by one year. The Teaching Council has been asked to work with teacher education institutions to raise standards among Irish teachers. All teachers have a professional responsibility to ensure that they keep their knowledge and skills up to date by evaluating their practice on an ongoing basis and engaging in appropriate continuing professional development (CPD). My Department supports teachers in this endeavour by providing a wide range of CPD opportunities.
In Irish in particular there has been significant investment in CPD in recent years, such as: - CPD in relation to the national literacy and numeracy strategy for primary teachers and post-primary teachers, including specific provision for teachers in Irish medium schools and a commitment to offering 20 hours of CPD over the course of 5 years to certain teachers. - CPD for post primary teachers of Irish from 2007 - 2012 provided by the Seirbhís Tacaíochta Dara Leibhéal don Ghaeilge. This team has now been integrated with the Professional Development Service for Teachers and continues to provide CPD for teachers of Irish as part of the literacy strategy - CPD provided by the Tús Maith team at primary level from 2006 - CPD for post-primary teachers of Irish in the context of the new junior cycle Irish specification will begin in the school year 2015/2016.
Work has commenced on the development of a new specification for Irish at primary level relating to the integrated languages (Irish and English). The NCCA is about to consult on a Primary Language curriculum (Stages 1 and 2 - junior infant classes through to second class). In addition the NCCA has just completed its consultation of a background paper on Irish for the Junior Cycle. Based on the findings of the consultation, the new specification will be developed for implementation in schools for first years from September 2016. This specification will clarify the learning outcomes to be achieved by students and place an increased emphasis on the development of oral language skills. Consideration is also being given to the introduction of a short course in Irish in Junior Cycle particularly for Irish students in the Gaeltacht, or students in Gaelcholaistí who would like the opportunity to study additional Irish.
Since June 2012, the weighting for oral Irish proficiency in the Leaving Certificate was increased from 25% to 40%. The impact of this change is being reviewed and the findings will be available in 2014. An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) has been co-located with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) so that the development of curricula and support materials for Irish (this is a key part of the remit of COGG) can take place in a closely co-ordinated way. My Department is providing 0.5 million euro over the next three years to allow for the digitisation of the Séadain Sí.
