Sisters are doing it for the kids

Life

Monasteries and religious orders were historically the purveyors and guardians of education in Ireland and are credited with establishing the cornerstone of education in Irish society. The Presentation Sisters are seizing upon this tradition and are trailblazing a path of educational reform by founding Ireland’s first virtual school.

iScoil is a new online learning programme for young people, who have become estranged from the mainstream education system, for a period of at least six months. Through specially developed blended learning and face to face workshops, iScoil increases confidence in young school leavers and helps them return to mainstream education.

iScoil has enjoyed a successful three year pilot and now is confidently embracing the next stage of its development plan and is now seeking accreditation. iScoil currently caters for 50 secondary level learners, located in five areas of the country, namely Dublin, the East Coast, Limerick, Galway and Longford. Students who participate in the programme are accessed on an individual basis for their suitability.

Sister Anne Marie Quinn of the Presentation order argues that a virtual school is imperative for the rising numbers of young school leavers. She states that 43% of the 1,000 estimated children, who leave school each year before completing their Junior Certificate, are still unemployed a year later. Sister Anne Marie remarked that, “with the exception of residential care and home tuition there is no alternative state provision for this age group.” She added that, “iScoil caters for young people at risk, who have been out of school for six months and have tried other interventions.”

David Rose, Director of iScoil says that a contributing factor to the growth of online learning is the familiarity that young people have with technology. “They are ‘digital natives’ used to an interactive world of online gaming, texting and tweeting, social networking and instant messaging” said David Rose. Rose added that, “Online learning comes naturally to students”

Sister Anne Marie says that the Presentation Sisters will continue to lobby to have iScoil accredited as a valid model of educational provision and will pursue public and private funding to grow and continue the project.

Karrie Kehoe