Plans described as an 'important milestone' for teaching and learning Irish outside of Gaeltacht areas and Irish medium education are to be launched today by the Department of Education
Former teacher and broadcaster, Louise Cantillon and General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian De Spáinn, spoke on Morning Ireland about the need for change to ensure students leave school being able to use the language.
De Spáinn says that these plans lack ambition and vision for how the Irish language could be supported in the education system. The plans mention Irish being used as a living language outside the classroom but doesn't set any specific targets or timelines in the context of provision of Irish medium education or fluency.
Currently, 6% of students attend Irish medium schools with no plan to increase that figure mention in the latest plans from the Department of Education. De Spáinn compares that to the ambitious plan in Wales where they are aiming to increase their provision of Welsh speaking schools from to 40% by the year 2050.
Labhair Ardoifigeach Ghaeloideachais, Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin ar Adhmhaidin faoi na pleananna seo.
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Labhair Cantillon faoin spéis mhór atá léirithe ag muintir na tíre seo i bhfoghlaim na teanga ach go bhfuil géarghá le plean náisiunta seachas plean don seomra ranga amháin le tacú leis an teanga. Deir sí go bhfuil athrú meoin de dhíth seachas plean a thitfidh ar ghuaillí na múinteoiri agus iad ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a theagasc.
Cantillon mentioned positive attitude many people have towards the language being a great start but that there needs to be a national plan, not just a school-based plan if we are hoping to see results in how Irish is taught in schools.
Julian de Spáinn said that these policies don't address the crisis in the teaching of Irish in schools, with over sixty thousands students being exempt from learning Irish. Those students are being 'failed' by the Department of Education, he says.
