Vol. 505 No. 6
253 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a number of schools do not give Irish spelling to their pupils at primary level; if this is Department policy; if it is included on the Irish curriculum for national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14292/99]
254 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department is supportive of the policy in a number of national schools not to give the pupils Irish spellings in view of the fact it is quite difficult to learn a language and comprehend it without being able to spell the words; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14293/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
For infant classes in primary schools, the main emphasis in Curaclam na Bunscoile is on the teaching of spoken Irish. It is recommended that only an informal approach to the development of pre-reading skills in Irish be attempted with these classes. When pupils enter first class, if their mastery of spoken Irish and their reading skills in English are sufficiently advanced, they are introduced to formal reading in Irish. Writing in Irish is introduced when the pupils are ready, after they have made a reasonable amount of progress in Irish reading and their writing skills in English are sufficiently developed. This generally happens during their year in first class but sometimes not until they have reached second class.
Irish writing is closely based on the material being read by the pupils. Teachers are advised that they should give as much assistance as pupils may need with the spelling of the Irish words which the pupils need for their writing. Words taken from the reading book, work-book, wall charts, word-lists or simple dictionaries are suggested. A more formal approach to the learning of Irish spellings is postponed until pupils have at least reached third class. By the time pupils have completed the sixth class programme, they are expected to be able to spell from memory the majority of the Irish words more commonly used in their writing.
The policy of the Department is that which is set down in Curaclam na Bunscoile. All schools are required to base their work closely on this, while making due allowances for individual differences in ability and attainment among pupils. In the revised Curaclam na Bunscoile, 1999, shortly to be implemented in schools, it is recommended that formal reading in Irish should be postponed until pupils reach second class. This will mean that the introduction of Irish writing and spelling will also be postponed by a further year.
