Who are qualified to teach in second-level Irish-medium schools?

Abstract

This paper examines and discusses the profiles of applicants and entrants to the DGO (Dioplóma Gairmiúil san Oideachas) initial teacher education programme between 2000 and 2011. The DGO is the only initial teacher education programme in Ireland that is specifically designated to prepare student teachers for the second-level Irish-medium (SLIM) school sector. It is delivered entirely through the Irish language. This study examines data collected from all DGO applicants (N = 1002) between 2000 and 2011. Results show that demand for this programme has increased over the past decade. The academic quality of applicants has risen dramatically in recent years and 75% of successful applicants are female. The data show that a significant proportion of DGO applicants are native Irish speakers from Gaeltacht (areas in Ireland where the Irish language Gaeilge is the vernacular). There has been a severe shortage of applicants with qualifications in certain subject areas, in particular in Sciences, Mathematics and European languages. Drawing on findings from this study as well as on national statistics and educational policy documents, this paper discusses how changes to the DGO selection process may contribute to better meeting the staffing demands in SLIM schools in Ireland.

Keywords:

• initial teacher education
• Gaelscoileanna
• Irish-medium education
• bilingual education
• immersion education
• teacher supply and demand

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to acknowledge COGG (An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta) for funding this research and PAC for supplying the data analysed in this study.

Notes on contributor

Seán Ó Grádaigh is a lecturer in Education in the School of Education, NUI Galway. He is also a fourth year Ph.D. candidate.

Notes

1. Gaelscoileanna: Irish-medium education schools outside traditional Irish speaking areas.

2. http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Key-Statistics-2012.pdf.

3. Ikastolas: Basque medium education schools.

4. The DGO (Dioplóma Gairmiúil san Oideachas) was originally named the ADO (Ard Dioplóma san Oideachas) and currently named the MGO (Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas).

5. SLIM: Second-level Irish-medium schools (Gaeltacht and Gaelscoileanna not in Gaeltacht areas).

6. Department of Education projects an increase of +87,000 enrolments in primary education by 2025 (Hislop 2012).

7. HEA: Higher Educational Authority (The statutory planning and development body for higher education and research in Ireland).

8. Minimum written and oral requirement = 60% average between both exams.

9. http://www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk/academic/education/courses/pgce/ticoirishmedium.asp?cid=122174744556.

10. Galltacht: All of Ireland outside of areas designated ‘Gaeltacht’.

11. BA sa Gnó & Cumarsáid: BA in Business & Communications.

12. COGG: Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta.

13. Most DGO student teachers, but not all have a total of two recognised teaching subjects.

14. COGG: Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta.