COGG’s Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027 was launched on the 28th of September 2023.
Available here.
The President of the University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, launched the COGG Strategic Plan 2023-2027 in Óstán Chois Fharraige in Conamara. Speaking at the event, Mr Ó hÓgartaigh noted the scope and the diversity of the work being done by the organisation.
He said:
I am delighted to be asked to launch the Strategic Plan of an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) because of the extremely close link between the work they do and the ethos of the University of Galway. COGG has a central role in preserving the Irish language in the education system, where the future of the language, especially, exists and depends. This is a living and dynamic strategy for the future with the provision of services for the development of the Gaeltacht and all-Irish sectors and also for the teaching of Irish in all secondary schools in the country, a central mission of the organisation. I commend this work and wish this positive and progressive strategy every success.
An tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh (President – University of Galway), Jacqueline Ní Fhearghusa (Chief Executive – COGG) agus Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh (Chairperson – COGG).
The Strategic Plan sets out in a clear concise way the areas in which COGG engages according to its statutory functions. COGG’s duties primarily relate to: the provision of textbooks to L1 secondary schools, the funding of teaching and learning resources, the provision of support services for schools, the facilitation and funding of research on immersion education and advice to the Minister for Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on teaching through Irish and the teaching of Irish. The Strategic Plan gives a comprehensive overview on the extent and variety of the work being done by the organisation to support L1 schools and to support the implementation of the Policy on Gaeltacht Education. The internal work of the organisation which relate to its statutory functions is also represented through graphics and diagrams which show the operation of funding schemes, the development of textbooks and the operation of research bursaries. The Strategic Plan outlines the various means by which the work of the organisation will progress in future years in terms of support for L2 schools in the teaching of Irish and additional support services for L1 schools.
Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh, the new chairperson of COGG, acknowledged the great work done by the organisation since it was first founded.
“The work of COGG is well known, thanks to the diligence and commitment of the people who worked for the organisation and who were on the board of COGG for many years. As someone who comes from the Gaeltacht, I applaud the work they have done to support schools through the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme of the Department of Education. The Board and staff of COGG will be proactive in their support for the development and implementation of the new Policy on Irish Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht.”
The Chairperson referenced the need to grow the Irish language education sector at secondary level, in independent schools and the role COGG will play in supporting the teaching of Irish in L2 schools.
“We have to focus on the needs of learners of Irish in schools where English is the primary language. We recognise also, the importance of growing and developing the all-Irish sector in the future.” he said.
Photographs from the event below.