Week 6 - Cultural Views on Education

Education in Ireland is viewed as important and necessary. Children are required to stay in school until age sixteen where most go on to secondary school (need to apply to some schools just like we would do in college).
Parental involvement greatly varies. I was able to sit in on an in-service day where the teachers were planning a new behavioral code. One dilemma was that the school needs the support of the parents to follow and carry out the school standards of behavior and discipline. Without this connection it will be hard to create a positive change.
Parents do get involved in the schools, though. In my placement school there are parents that have volunteered to come in and categorize the library and change up the system. Parents also have a room in the school where there are after school programs that the parents and their children can partake in (such as cooking with mom) and is used as a meeting place as well.

I have come to notice that most schools are mostly Catholic schools - though you (obviously) do not have to be Catholic to attend. Just the other day, the school went to the church across the street for mass (celebrating the Immaculate Conception)  - however, those students that do not practice the Roman Catholic/Christian religion can stay in designated classrooms to work on homework or extra classwork.

Government pays the teachers' salaries.
There are no school districts - schools run pretty independently from one another. One school may be closed due to snow or icy conditions, while others will stay open (my school was the one that stayed open of course :)  )

Finally! A playground!

Small school in Cleggan