The Principal of the school Mrs. Konstantina Boutou, the teacher Tsiourva Paraskevi, the teacher Alexandris Georgios and the ICT teacher Apostolina Saiti, traveled to Dublin, Ireland in the context of the implementation of an approved European program Erasmus+ KA1, the coordinator of which is the IKY.
The subject of the training was "Irish Education System/School Visits" and delivered by Europass Teacher Academy Ireland. The pandemic situation did not allow school visits.
Nevertheless, the organization made sure that we were in direct contact with the educational staff of the schools. Talking to a primary school principal and teachers brought us closer to the Irish way of life and the culture of a country with a long and interesting history, which influences its education system. The Irish use Celtic (gaelic) as their official language, with English as their second official language.
The primary education sector consists of state-funded primary schools and a few non-preferred private primary schools. There are also boys' and girls' schools which are in high demand. The students of all state schools wear a uniform (apron), which is different for each school. There are Gaelscoileanna schools that teach the Irish language, DEIS Schools-Equality of Opportunity Schools where children from poor-minority groups receive school meals and have free access to activities.
They also operate Educate Together schools, which are schools for all children, regardless of religion, gender or social class. In these schools students do not wear a uniform, self-expression and co-education of boys and girls is encouraged. They follow the same curriculum as the other schools. Teachers and the principal are called by students by their first name to promote equality.
Students can start school from the age of 4 and must be in education from the age of 6. The average teacher-student ratio is 1:24. The school year for primary school children is from September to the end of June. Attendance at state schools and middle/high schools is free. In practice, however, for school equipment (computers, sports equipment, etc.) they often request sponsorships. Parents participate in some expenses such as buying uniforms or books.
We came back having gained knowledge and experience about the Irish education system. Our participation in the European project and the presentation of everything we saw to the students and colleagues, was an occasion for a discussion about which of them can be applied in our school