A public meeting is to be held in Granaghan Resource Centre on Wednesday, September 28 at 7pm to discuss the possibility of establishing an Irish-medium pre-school in the Swatragh area.
The meeting is a follow up to a feasibility study, carried out by Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, the Department of Education sponsored body responsible for the promotion of Irish-medium education in Northern Ireland. The aim of the study was to assess the demand for Irish-medium education in the area.
Antaine Ó Muireagáin, an Advisory Officer with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta commented: “We were greatly encouraged by the levels of interest demonstrated at previous public meetings as the support and involvement of a local community is essential to any such undertaking.
"Next week’s exploratory meeting will deal with the practical steps of establishing Irish-medium provision in the area. I would welcome anyone who feels they can make a positive contribution to the development of Irish-medium education in Swatragh whether they are parents, potential committee members or other interested parties.”
Currently over 50,000 children are educated in the Irish-medium sector, there are 86 schools with new schools opening every year. Many children entering Irish-medium schools have no previous experience of Irish; however they soon begin to acquire the language naturally through daily experience of an Irish language environment. They have the opportunity to avail from the many proven benefits of bilingualism which include enhanced communication skills; higher performance in exams; a head start in reading; advanced creative thinking; improved self-esteem and high levels of cultural awareness.
For further information contact Antaine Ó Muireagáin at Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta on 028 90 321475 or email aomuireagain@comhairle.org
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