Ten schools across Galway city and county have been chosen to take part in a pilot Government scheme which aims to increase and enhance creative activities within the State's education system.
The schools chosen to be included in the pilot scheme are the Galway Educate Together schools in Newcastle, Knocknacarra, and Tuam; Scoil Croí Íosa, Newcastle Road; Athenry Boys School; Scoil Sailearna, Indreabhán, which intends to promote the arts through Gaeilge; Eglish national school, Ballinasloe; St Oliver's Special School, Tuam; Youthreach Portumna; and Scoil Naisiúnta na Naomh Uile, Cleggan.
The Creative Schools scheme, which is being led by the Arts Council as part of the Creative Ireland Programme, will begin in September, with the aim of enhancing pupils’ engagement with creativity and the arts in classrooms, while also forging links between schools and the regional creative community.
The inclusion of the Galway schools has been welcomed by Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Hildegarde Naughton, who is also a member of the Oireachtas Committee for Education and Skills.
“The Creative Schools initiative unites two areas in which I am deeply interested and involved – education and the arts," said Dep Naughton, who is a former teacher as well as an actor and classically trainer singer. “It is natural and right that a significant number of schools in Galway should be involved in the pilot phase of this initiative, given the rich tradition and history of the arts in this region.
“The programme will engage with children and young people to nurture their creativity and link them with the arts and creative infrastructure locally and nationally," she added, "and I fully expect our schools to be shining examples of this scheme as it progresses and is rolled out elsewhere."
