Education in Ireland

The education system in Ireland is aligned in three stages. We distinguish between the three areas of primary, secondary and higher education (universities and colleges ). Since the 1960s, the education system is conditioned by the subject of continued economic growth big changes. Of the primary schools were located in 2011, 92 percent under the auspices of the Catholic Church.

The Department of Education and Science (Ministry of Education and Science) determines the guidelines, the financing and the overall direction of education.

In addition to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland ( National Board of Education ), the Higher Education Authority ( higher education) and at local level the Vocational Education Committees ( Vocational Education Committees ) and government institutions, many other entities, both public and private law support the implementation of the ministerial guidelines. Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is since 2011 of the Labour Party.

In 2006, 58 % of Irish students attended a private school. The private schools are more powerful than the public schools. However, this is explained by the familial and socio-economic background of the student body.

Survey

According to the Education Act Education ( Welfare ) Act, all children aged six to fifteen years of age are required to attend school. The Irish Constitution allows home schooling, which is often regarded as problematic because of the lack of specifications regarding the quality of home education.

The language used in the classroom in all areas of English, where lessons are taught with the exception of Gaelscoileanna ( Irish- speaking schools, sg. Gaelscoil ) in Irish. At the universities courses are mostly in English.

In 1973, the existence of an Irish- language tests as a condition for the completion of secondary school was abolished. In publicly funded educational institutions teaching of the Irish language, however, is still required. There are exceptions for students / pupils who have spent a long time abroad or have learning difficulties.

Holiday

Holiday in primary schools ( primary school )

• The school year runs from 1 September to 30 June. For flexibility reasons, the school may be opened in the last two or three weeks of August but already.
• The school year has 183 days ( minus six Studien-/Verwaltungstagen 177).
• The first major break is the last week of October (commonly known as Halloween holidays).
• The Christmas holidays range from the last day of school before 23 December until the first weekday after January 6 (17-21 days).
• The second break in half is a minimum of two days and a maximum of five days in the third week of February, the carnival holidays ( Shrove break ).
• The Easter holidays are made from the week before and after Easter (10 school days).
• Furthermore, there are still flexible holidays, which is usually around the public holidays in May and July (?) Lie.

Holiday in secondary schools ( secondary school )

• The school year in secondary schools is due one month shorter and runs from 1 September to 31 May. For flexibility reasons, the school may be opened in the last two or three weeks of August but already.
• The school year has 167 days.
• The first major break is the week after the last weekend in October
• The Christmas holidays are identical.
• The second break in half is the third week of February.
• The final examinations ( Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and comparable high school, comparable Abitur), beginning on the first Wednesday in June.

Although the summer holidays are twice as long as in Germany, Irish students attend through afternoon classes as long as German student teaching (total annual hours).