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Conradh na Gaeilge welcomes Minister Norma Foley's decision to postpone the change to move Leaving Certificate Irish Paper 1 to the end of the fifth year

With plans for Paper 1 now postponed, the recommendations for the L1/L2 specifications for the Leaving Certificate to be set aside and the negative findings in a report to be published about the new L1/L2 Irish specifications for the Junior Certificate - the Department of Education has an opportunity to take a new approach and implement a policy in line with #Gaeilge4All

With news released by the Department of Education today that planned changes for Leaving Certificate Irish will not be implemented, there is no better time to act on calls to develop a policy for Irish in the education system from preschool to third level as recommended by the #Gaeilge4All campaign.

Speaking today, Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge commented:

“Language skills between writing, reading, speaking and listening are acquired in an integrated manner over the two-year period of the senior cycle. There was no sound educational basis for the decision to move Paper 1 to the end of the fifth year, and we are pleased that the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD has today decided to postpone the previous plans. We are now calling on the Minister to act now and to develop a policy for Irish in the education system from preschool to third level as proposed by the #Gaeilge4All campaign and supported by organisations, education experts, teachers, pupils, and others.” 

Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager, Conradh na Gaeilge said:

“With plans for Paper 1 now postponed, the proposals for the L1/L2 specifications for the Leaving Certificate to be shelved and the negative findings in a report soon to be published about the new L1/L2 Irish specifications for the Junior Certificate, there is a great opportunity for the Minister of Education to take a new approach and implement the #Gaeilge4All policy. This would be in line with Fianna Fáil's 2020 General Election promise and reference to this policy in the Programme for Government.” 

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

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