Abstract
This paper examines and discusses the profiles of applicants and entrants to the DGO
(Dioplóma Gairmiúil san Oideachas) initial teacher education programme between
2000 and 2011. The DGO is the only initial teacher education programme in Ireland
that is specifically designated to prepare student teachers for the second-level Irishmedium
(SLIM) school sector. It is delivered entirely through the Irish language. This
study examines data collected from all DGO applicants (N = 1002) between 2000 and
2011. Results show that demand for this programme has increased over the past
decade. The academic quality of applicants has risen dramatically in recent years and
75% of successful applicants are female. The data show that a significant proportion
of DGO applicants are native Irish speakers from Gaeltacht (areas in Ireland where the
Irish language Gaeilge is the vernacular). There has been a severe shortage of
applicants with qualifications in certain subject areas, in particular in Sciences,
Mathematics and European languages. Drawing on findings from this study as well as
on national statistics and educational policy documents, this paper discusses how
changes to the DGO selection process
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Irish Educational Studies |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2015 |
Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)
- Authors
- Seán Ó Grádaigh