Gaelscoils - the unspoken reason for their growth

Monday August 11, 2008 09:00

by Gegentypus

How to ensure your child doesn't mix with "blacks"

A controversial viewpoint that sees the recent "enthusiasm" for Gaelic language schools in working class areas as just another manifestation of insularity and... whisper it.... racism.

Gaelscoils, by their very nature, do not have a very high take-up from minorities - be they foriegn nationials, those with special needs, or people from the travelling community.

Many Irish parents see this as a great advantage, and are sending their children to get their education through a medium that they themselves don't speak, for motives that are far from admirable.

Whereas previously, Gaelic schools were seen as a free-education route to higher points by the middle classes (ludicrously - through taking exams through Irish), now they are seen by racist Irish parents as a way of ensuring their offspring don't have to mix with foreign nationals and other undesirables.

And, as we know, the Irish Language Lobby are never slow to take up an opportunity. The well-oganised Gaelscoil movement, in tandem with Sinn Fein, are hungrily pushing for their exclusive brand of schooling in boom-estate areas - most of which have a high proporition of immigrants, and are crying out for inclusive education in the vernacular.

See link below on the Gombeen Nation site : "Gaelscoleanna - no foreigners need apply", for a recent Gaelscoil campaign in Tyrellstown, West Dublin.