merrion street

Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, today welcomed the tremendous effort that schools across the country are putting into preparations for Proclamation Day, 15th March next.

A key part of the educational programme for the Ireland 2016 commemoration, Proclamation Day will see schools and classes throughout the country unveil their own “Proclamation for a New Generation”. Based on reflection on the 1916 Proclamation students across Ireland are currently involved in drafting their own Proclamations that outline their vision for Ireland in the 21st Century and the values they want to see our communities.

According to Minister O’Sullivan, “Today my Department issued information to all schools outlining some of the activities they may consider as part of Proclamation Day. Of course the Proclamation for a New Generation project will form the cornerstone of the day in all schools but there is also a great opportunity for students and teachers to showcase the range of other activities schools have engaged in to commemorate and reflect on the events of 1916 and to look forward to the future.”

“By early March all primary and post-primary schools will have received their own national flag, either from the Defence Forces or from the Thomas F. Meagher Foundation and it is proposed that raising the national flag is an appropriate way to begin Proclamation day.”

Among the activities that schools are engaging with as part of the Ireland 2016 Education Programme are:

· Ancestry projects – where students trace the life and times of a relative or local people in 1916
· All-Island schools history essay competition
· Ireland 2016 drama, art, poetry, film and song competitions
· In addition students have been invited to design a “Doodle 4 Google” piece to mark the centenary, while recordings of the Proclamation for a New Generation will be hosted on a special YouTube site.
· As Proclamation Day falls within Seachtain na Gaeilge, schools are also asked to consider involvement in Féile na Físe, organised by Conradh na Gaeilge.
“March 15th promises to be a truly memorable day for students, teachers and other school staff. I know at first hand some of the remarkable work that has been underway in classrooms and schools this year and Proclamation Day will allow schools to display that talent and energy through a variety of avenues. I would like to record my appreciation for how school communities have embraced the many projects included in the Ireland 2016 Education Programme and wish them the very best as the year’s events come to fruition.”

For more information on the Ireland 2016 Education Programme see:

www.ireland.ie

www.scoilnet.ie/ireland2016