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Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020

Thursday, 5 March 2020

Ceisteanna (286)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

286. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a teacher in a school who has been teaching through the medium of English prior to the school entering into Scéim Aitheantas do Scoileanna Gaeltachta can be instructed to teach through the medium of Irish, notwithstanding the confirmed lack of competency in the language of the teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3387/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school board of management or Education and Training Board (ETB), subject to procedures agreed under Section 24(3) of the Education Act 1998 (as amended by the Education (Amendment) Act 2012).

In accordance with Department Circulars 0044/2019 and 31/2011, schools are required to employ appropriately qualified and registered teachers. Schools should ensure that personnel appointed to teach have qualifications appropriate to the sector and are suitable to the post for which they are employed. This includes an appropriate level of proficiency in the Irish language in order to carry out teaching duties effectively.

The Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme (Scéim Aitheantas Scoileanna Gaeltachta), which was launched in April 2017, provided schools in Gaeltacht language-planning areas with the option to join the Scheme, on the basis of implementing specific language-based criteria and on condition that they were participating in the language-planning processes provided for under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012. A package of additional supports continue to be provided to support all participating schools. These supports include: additional professional development for teachers provided by Higher Education Institutions and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), Inspectorate advisory visits, additional Irish-language teaching support hours, guides on immersion education, and annual grants for Irish-medium resources.

The principal is responsible for the management of the school, including guidance and direction of the teachers and other staff of the schools and is accountable to the board for that management. The principal of the school, with the support of the board, is also responsible for promoting the professional development of teachers in line with the changing priority needs of the school. Schools can access a range of continuing professional development opportunities provided by national support services, higher education institutions and/or local education centres. It is also a matter for each individual teacher employed in a school to engage with such professional development supports to ensure that all pupils have access to high quality Irish-medium education in accordance with the overarching aim of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022.

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