The Department has confirmed that the requested funding will be extended to students in private colleges. This resolution ensures that all teacher trainees receive the necessary support to complete their mandatory Gaeltacht requirements. I appreciate the dedication shown by everyone throughout this process.
March 1, 2021
Final supporters
Dear Ministers Harris, Foley & Martin,
I am emailing today as a Professional Masters of Education in Primary Teaching (PMEP) student of Hibernia College Dublin to convey the frustration and anger brought about due to the recent announcement regarding our upcoming Gaeltacht experience. Also, I wish to highlight the continued
exclusion of my peers and I from student supports afforded to our colleagues in state-supported
teaching colleges.
As students undertaking initial teacher training, we, like the thousands of teachers before us, must complete an immersive Gaeltacht course to comply with Teaching Council requirements. It is a course that serves not only as a fully immersive language learning experience but also one which fostered a grá for Gaeilge in the generations of teachers who have gone before of us.
In an era pre-Covid, this immersive experience took the form of a two-week block in the summers of our first and second year of the program. The cost, €750 per fortnight (€1,500 in total) was high yet was justified as it included full food and board and all language lessons and activities. As third level students, it was an expensive outlay, but we knew it would best support language acquisition and ultimately prepare us to inspire future generations of Gaeilgeoirí.
Unfortunately, due to current and expected summer restrictions, the prospect of attending the Gaeltacht is no longer a viable option for students. As such, an alternative has been proposed by a working group established by the Department of Education and Skills and Department of the Gaeltacht. Like its predecessor, it is a two-week language learning course, but the immersive experience, language lessons and activities are now replaced with a fully online experience undertaken in students' homes- all for a cost of €650 per fortnight (€1,300 in total). An exorbitant price given the course provider now will not have to incur the cost of food, lodgings and room rental generally associated with the Gaeltacht experience.
Unlike our colleagues in all other teaching training colleges in Ireland, we do not qualify for the Gaeltacht Grant of €650, reintroduced last year by Minister for Education & Skills Joe McHugh. For the approximately 800 Hibernia teachers qualifying in 2021, in addition to the 950 due to qualify in 2022, the high cost of this course and lacking of funding is now a daunting and immediate concern- in an already stressful time where many of us find ourselves unemployed, unable to claim PUP as we are deemed full-time students and unable to undertake substitute teaching as schools are currently closed.
As students of a private college, we find ourselves excluded not only from the Gaeltacht Grant, but also all other state-funded student supports which include the 1916 Bursary Fund, SUSI grants, Student Assistance Fund, the €250 fees refund scheme and all postgraduate supports. We are continually excluded from accessing such vital funding and as teachers who are already entering the workforce on a lower career salary than our peers in the staffroom, we find it disheartening to be excluded even before we qualify.
As students, we collectively decided to continue our education with Hibernia College due to the modern blended approach to the course. Aside from studying full-time to become future educators we are also Mothers, Fathers, SNAs, carers, substitute teachers, public and private full and part-time employees, and, most recently, front line workers. We are taking a modern approach to our education and not unlike those who find themselves working from home, are trying to find the best balance to academic and personal lives. As students of the PME programme, we must meet all the Teaching Council requirements similar to our colleagues in teaching colleges, why then are we not treated the same in terms of supports provided?
As a student of Hibernia College Dublin, I ask you to engage with those responsible in the Departments of Education & Skills, the Gaeltacht and Future and Higher Education to resolve this issue which will be impacting over 1,750 students, across two academic years, the length and breadth of Ireland in the coming months.
As future public servants and educators responsible for moulding the next generation who will continue our great traditions, I ask you to create the learning conditions we strive to create for all our students- a fair, equitable and accessible learning environment devoid of barriers to education.
Yours in education,
Hibernia College Dublin
Updates
February 20, 2021
The petition has reached one thousand signatures. This milestone confirms that the current financial burden on PMEP students demands immediate attention from the Department.
February 19, 2021
The petition has now surpassed five thousand signatures. This level of engagement confirms that the financial burden placed upon PMEP students is a matter of significant public concern.
Reached 5,000 supporters
February 18, 2021
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
February 17, 2021
719 Comments
As a parent of a Pme student I do not understand how this fee can be justified. Neither do I understand why college fees have not been reduced considering students have no face to face lectures and the college does not have the expense of hiring Saturday venues.
It is not fair in the middle of a pandemic to expect students teachers to have to pay €650 to attend a virtual Gaeltacht. Also, all teacher training colleges should be treated equally when receiving Governor grants, including Hibernia College.
The Gaeltacht for the Hibernia course is very overpriced for studying at home. It is also very late in our course and half of it should have completed before our Grammar exam this did not happen so I had to pay for extra grinds before exam aswel .
Completely unfair to exclude students from private colleges, who are incurring the costs of attending college ourselves and are faced with the same Gaeltacht fees as that of public college students, but yet we are meant to fend for ourselves! Completely injust!
The fees planned for Hibernia College students to attend the Gaeltacht online at home are disgraceful, €1300 for 4 weeks in total. How can this be justified when it would cost €1500 to attend normally in person, with accommodation and food?
Assurance needed to support young persons choosing alternative routes to become teachers
Many Hibernia students have loans to pursue their dreams. Its time to show equity accross the board
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The Department has confirmed that the requested funding will be extended to students in private colleges. This resolution ensures that all teacher trainees receive the necessary support to complete their mandatory Gaeltacht requirements. I appreciate the dedication shown by everyone throughout this process.
March 1, 2021
Final supporters
Dear Ministers Harris, Foley & Martin,
I am emailing today as a Professional Masters of Education in Primary Teaching (PMEP) student of Hibernia College Dublin to convey the frustration and anger brought about due to the recent announcement regarding our upcoming Gaeltacht experience. Also, I wish to highlight the continued
exclusion of my peers and I from student supports afforded to our colleagues in state-supported
teaching colleges.
As students undertaking initial teacher training, we, like the thousands of teachers before us, must complete an immersive Gaeltacht course to comply with Teaching Council requirements. It is a course that serves not only as a fully immersive language learning experience but also one which fostered a grá for Gaeilge in the generations of teachers who have gone before of us.
In an era pre-Covid, this immersive experience took the form of a two-week block in the summers of our first and second year of the program. The cost, €750 per fortnight (€1,500 in total) was high yet was justified as it included full food and board and all language lessons and activities. As third level students, it was an expensive outlay, but we knew it would best support language acquisition and ultimately prepare us to inspire future generations of Gaeilgeoirí.
Unfortunately, due to current and expected summer restrictions, the prospect of attending the Gaeltacht is no longer a viable option for students. As such, an alternative has been proposed by a working group established by the Department of Education and Skills and Department of the Gaeltacht. Like its predecessor, it is a two-week language learning course, but the immersive experience, language lessons and activities are now replaced with a fully online experience undertaken in students' homes- all for a cost of €650 per fortnight (€1,300 in total). An exorbitant price given the course provider now will not have to incur the cost of food, lodgings and room rental generally associated with the Gaeltacht experience.
Unlike our colleagues in all other teaching training colleges in Ireland, we do not qualify for the Gaeltacht Grant of €650, reintroduced last year by Minister for Education & Skills Joe McHugh. For the approximately 800 Hibernia teachers qualifying in 2021, in addition to the 950 due to qualify in 2022, the high cost of this course and lacking of funding is now a daunting and immediate concern- in an already stressful time where many of us find ourselves unemployed, unable to claim PUP as we are deemed full-time students and unable to undertake substitute teaching as schools are currently closed.
As students of a private college, we find ourselves excluded not only from the Gaeltacht Grant, but also all other state-funded student supports which include the 1916 Bursary Fund, SUSI grants, Student Assistance Fund, the €250 fees refund scheme and all postgraduate supports. We are continually excluded from accessing such vital funding and as teachers who are already entering the workforce on a lower career salary than our peers in the staffroom, we find it disheartening to be excluded even before we qualify.
As students, we collectively decided to continue our education with Hibernia College due to the modern blended approach to the course. Aside from studying full-time to become future educators we are also Mothers, Fathers, SNAs, carers, substitute teachers, public and private full and part-time employees, and, most recently, front line workers. We are taking a modern approach to our education and not unlike those who find themselves working from home, are trying to find the best balance to academic and personal lives. As students of the PME programme, we must meet all the Teaching Council requirements similar to our colleagues in teaching colleges, why then are we not treated the same in terms of supports provided?
As a student of Hibernia College Dublin, I ask you to engage with those responsible in the Departments of Education & Skills, the Gaeltacht and Future and Higher Education to resolve this issue which will be impacting over 1,750 students, across two academic years, the length and breadth of Ireland in the coming months.
As future public servants and educators responsible for moulding the next generation who will continue our great traditions, I ask you to create the learning conditions we strive to create for all our students- a fair, equitable and accessible learning environment devoid of barriers to education.
Yours in education,
Hibernia College Dublin
Updates
February 20, 2021
The petition has reached one thousand signatures. This milestone confirms that the current financial burden on PMEP students demands immediate attention from the Department.
February 19, 2021
The petition has now surpassed five thousand signatures. This level of engagement confirms that the financial burden placed upon PMEP students is a matter of significant public concern.
Reached 5,000 supporters
February 18, 2021
Reached 1,000 supporters
February 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
February 17, 2021
719 Comments
Seems the same as the regular Gaeltacht prices, yet not getting the full Gaeltacht experience. The informal irish and the bonding with fellow friends through irish is what brings the irish to life. For this reason, the price does not reflect the changes per student.
As a parent of a Pme student I do not understand how this fee can be justified. Neither do I understand why college fees have not been reduced considering students have no face to face lectures and the college does not have the expense of hiring Saturday venues.
It is not fair in the middle of a pandemic to expect students teachers to have to pay €650 to attend a virtual Gaeltacht. Also, all teacher training colleges should be treated equally when receiving Governor grants, including Hibernia College.
The Gaeltacht for the Hibernia course is very overpriced for studying at home. It is also very late in our course and half of it should have completed before our Grammar exam this did not happen so I had to pay for extra grinds before exam aswel .
Completely unfair to exclude students from private colleges, who are incurring the costs of attending college ourselves and are faced with the same Gaeltacht fees as that of public college students, but yet we are meant to fend for ourselves! Completely injust!
The fees planned for Hibernia College students to attend the Gaeltacht online at home are disgraceful, €1300 for 4 weeks in total. How can this be justified when it would cost €1500 to attend normally in person, with accommodation and food?
Assurance needed to support young persons choosing alternative routes to become teachers
Many Hibernia students have loans to pursue their dreams. Its time to show equity accross the board
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Seems the same as the regular Gaeltacht prices, yet not getting the full Gaeltacht experience. The informal irish and the bonding with fellow friends through irish is what brings the irish to life. For this reason, the price does not reflect the changes per student.