TG4 to launch new school programme for children in Irish language schools
TG4 is set to launch a new school programme for children in Irish language schools and from Gaeltacht areas.
From Monday, April 20, TG4 will air Cula4 ar Scoil, to cater for the expected extension of school closures beyond the conclusion of the Easter holidays.
From 10am until 10.30am on weekdays, Cula4 ar Scoil will be broadcast from Scoil na bhForbacha in the Connemara Gaeltacht, and will be hosted by primary school teachers Caitriona ni Chualain and Fiachra O Dubhghaill.
Featuring contributions from teachers and education facilitators from other communities and Gaeltacht regions, and incorporating a range of Irish language dialects, Cula4 ar Scoil will have a weekly theme, lesson objectives and lesson outcomes derived from the national primary school curriculum and promises to engage and educate children from their homes.
Covering everything from core curriculum subjects such as maths, Irish, history and geography to art, health and wellbeing and creative activities, Cula4 ar Scoil will encourage viewer participation, and will ask children to send pictures or videos of their work to the programme.
In addition, Cula4 ar Scoil will be available on Cula4.com and the YouTube channel Cula4.
Speaking about the new initiative, Minister for Education Joe McHugh stated: ‘The production of this programme is a credit to TG4 in supporting the continuity of children’s learning in Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht schools, who are currently studying at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.
‘I would like to thank the teachers and network of people who managed to get this project together under difficult circumstances and tight deadlines. This programme will help enrich learning at home and will serve as a wonderful additional learning support for children’.
Blathnaid Ni Ghreachan, CEO of Gaeloideachas, also welcomed the programme, saying: ‘This initiative by TG4 will create an enjoyable learning experience through Irish for children who are used to being immersed in the language.
‘It will help create a positive experience for them in their learning, and it will also be a great resource for teachers to use content from the programmes to include in their work plans for pupils in their homes’.
TG4 will bookend Cula4 ar Scoil with programmes with educational themes, beginning at 9.30am and continuing until 11am on weekdays.
Funded by TG4 and produced by award-winning company Fibin, Cula4 ar Scoil will be complied on the advice of the Department of Education and Skills, Colaiste Mhuire gan Smal, An Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG), The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), Gaeloideachas and Tuismitheoiri na Gaeltachta.
Source: Xtra.ie