Diversidad Cultural En Los Colegios

Cultural diversity in schools – Challenges and opportunities for Irish education.
Background: Preliminary figures from the 2006 Census indicate that an estimated 20% of the population in Dublin 15were identified as coming from an ethnic minority background. In many schools the percentage is significantly higher – in some instances up to 7080%. Last year, the Blanchardstown Area Partnershipreceived major funding from the European Refugee Fund for the implementation of the Meitheal Project. This project provides an innovative response to the social, cultural, educational and economic needsof newcomers in Dublin 15. In particular, the project has worked closely with schools and youth organisations and received practical support from state and voluntary organisations. For schools, theeffects resulting from the growing diversity of learners’ linguistic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds have been most clearly exemplified within the West Dublin area. An increasing number of schools servethe learning needs of children who are predominantly of an African, Asian or Eastern European origin. The changed demographics have impacted on the teaching and learning requirements of teachingstaff, school leaders and students alike and have major implications for the resource needs of such schools.

Education seminar: In a collaborative arrangement, the Meitheal Project, the Institute ofTechnology, Blanchardstown, Boston College and St Patrick’s College in Drumcondra have come together to provide a forum for all those who are concerned with the progression and integration of studentsfrom the new communities. This seminar will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to address issues of diversity within our schools. We aim to offer teachers, school leaders, policy makers, parentsand youth & community workers an opportunity to learn about innovative practices internationally, in other parts of the island of Ireland and locally. The seminar will also provide a forum to discuss...