Údarás na Gaeltachta announce STEM pilot scheme ‘An Chruinne’ for Gaeltacht primary schools.

16 Gaeltacht primary schools will undertake a special education programme in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as a result of the new pilot programme ‘An Chruinne’ devised by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland.

During the 2017/2018 academic year, Údarás na Gaeltachta intends to work with Junior Achievement Ireland to roll out ‘An Chruinne’, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) pilot programme, in 16 national schools in the Kerry, Cork, Galway, Mayo and Donegal Gaeltacht areas.

The programme consists of five modules and will teach the higher primary classes Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it is important that such a programme is being delivered through the medium of Irish in primary schools in the Gaeltacht.

The Government Chief Whip and the Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht and the Islands Joe McHugh, TD, said “I commend Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland for establishing this innovative project. It is important that we encourage and provide the Gaeltacht’s younger generation with the skills to enable them to realise their vision for the Gaeltacht”.

Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh also added “It is important for Údarás na Gaeltachta to encourage the Gaeltacht’s younger generation to move towards innovation and spark an interest in these sectors through their native language. They are our future entrepreneurs and scientists and they will create and develop the Gaeltacht of the future. Údarás na Gaeltachta intends to build on this project and extend it, if possible, in the future”.