Efforts to solve school dispute over strict language policy
- Published: 18 December 2008
Source: Irish Examiner
By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent
A SENIOR legal figure has been appointed to try and resolvethe dispute between a Gaeltacht second-level school and parents of some local students over its strict all-Irish language policy.
The case being taken on behalf of a number of students against Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne in Dingle, and the minister for education has been mentioned before the High Court a number of times in recent months.
The Irish Examiner has learned the court has allowed the parties an opportunity to resolve their differences, in an effort to avoid having to go to a full hearing of the case.
The school opened in September 2007 as the only second-level school in the Dingle area after two local schools, which also had all-Irish policies, were amalgamated. However, parents have complained that whereas students with little or no Irish had previously been allowed to be taught through English this had not been maintained in the new school. They are seeking what they describe as a viable education for their children, which could include a return to the bilingual policy they claim was operated by the two older schools or a two-stream policy under which some students could be taught entirely through English if they did not have sufficient levels of Irish.
Former education minister Mary Hanafin intervened last year when she had a survey carried out among the parents of the school's students last winter. However, this proved difficult because of data protection issues concerning distribution of surveys and parents who support the all-Irish policy of the school urged a boycott of the study.
The school agreed last April to review its policy and the provision of supports for students with little or no Irish, following a meeting between the trustees and Ms Hanafin. She had previously said that, while the all-Irish status of the school was important, allowance should be made for any students experiencing difficulties.
All sides in the dispute are expected to meet with senior counsel Brendan Hogan next month, who will try to facilitate an agreement acceptable to both sides. The mediation process was notified to High Court president Justice Richard Johnson earlier this week and it is expected that the case will be mentioned before the court again in February.
