IPPN

20 Headteachers from primary schools across Northern Ireland are visiting and working with primary school principals in the south this week. The exchange visits began last year following a joint conference between the Irish Primary Principals Network and the National Association of Headteachers - the professional associations of primary school principals in both parts of the country.

"In the context of the historic events of this week with the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the beginnings of closer all-Ireland ties, this is a very good example of the type of co-operation and closer working relationships we can look forward to in the coming years." Said Tomás O Slatara, President of IPPN.

"Although our education systems are different, there are many common issues and challenges. We learn lots by visiting and working together with our colleagues in different schools." Said John McGrath, President of NAHT (NI). "As school leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) are coming together to focus on the issue of Cultural Diversity. With an ever increasing migrant worker population it is an issue which is evident on both sides of the border and is affecting schools in both jurisdictions in many similar, and yet many different, ways. The nationalities are diverse - Portuguese, Polish, Brazilian, Latvian, Lithuanian, East Timorese, Russian - to name a few, and each culture brings its own issues and challenges to the school door"

IPPN Executive member Gerry Murphy, St Joseph's Dundalk, hopes that "those schools already dealing with 'newcomer' children will explore along with the education partners how other schools have tackled the issue and also share their own good practice with other schools both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic. There are schools in which cultural diversity is not a challenge or an opportunity, yet, and we hope they will go home from these visits more prepared for when it finally does reach their school community."

This timely and historic initiative is receiving financial and other support from the DES and DENI and in particular from NcompasS through Léargas and British Council.

The Headteachers from Northern Ireland are visiting schools in Offaly. Louth, Roscommon, Clare, Tipperary and Donegal.