Education

Primary Education

You must ensure your child gets a certain minimum education from the age of 6-16. It is important to enrol your child on time. Schools will offer places to children based on their admissions policy.

Children start primary school in Ireland normally before they are 6 years of age. The school year runs from September – June.

Children who were born outside of Ireland and/or lived outside the state for a period of time may be exempt from the study of Irish language.

Secondary (post-primary) Education

Post-Primary education consists of Junior cycle (age 12-15 approximately) and Senior cycle (age 16-18 approximately). There are state examinations at the end of each of these cycles.

The Transition Year (TY) is an optional one-year programme between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.

Educational provision for students with special educational needs ranges from additional support in mainstream schools to specialist support in special schools. A student with a disability may be enrolled in a:

• Mainstream class with additional support
• Special class in a mainstream school
• Special school

To find a list of Primary/Post-Primary School visit: Schooldays.ie

After post-primary school many students move on to further education or third level (see third-level education below). The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) has 10 levels of education and allows you to compare the different standards and levels of education available to you across the education system.

REALT (Regional Education and Language Team)

The main focus of REALT is to help families secure school places. REALT has also been extended to support IP applicants.
Cavan/Monaghan CMETB. Email: REALT@cmetb.ie or phone: 087 603 6711

Further Education & Adult Education

The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) run a range of adult and further education and training programmes nationwide including Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. PLCs offer technical and practical education as well as a route to higher and third-level education.

Other programmes offered through ETBs include the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (second-chance education for adults); Youthreach for early school-leavers; other literacy and basic education; and self-funded evening adult programmes.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training and off-the job education. Apprenticeships are offered in traditional craft trades such as plumbing and electrical engineering but also new apprenticeships such as ICT, finance, software development and hospitality.

You must be at least 16 years of age and may need a minimum grade in Junior Cycle or equivalent exam.

Springboard+

Springboard+ provides free higher education courses for people who are unemployed (or were self-employed) and those looking to return to the workforce.

If you are working, you may have to pay a contribution towards course fees. Generally, courses are part-time for one year and offered at Level 6 to 9 on the NFQ.
Courses offered include ICT, medical technologies, cybersecurity and sustainable energy.

Third Level Education

Third-level education is made up of a number of sectors that are substantially funded by the State.
• University sector
• Technological sector
• Colleges of education

Universities in general are autonomous and self-governing. They offer degree programmes at bachelor, master’s and doctorate level.

The technological sector includes technological universities (TUs) and institutes of technology (ITs) which provide programmes of education and training in areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics and music to certificate, diploma and degree levels.

The colleges of education specialise in training for primary school teachers. Training for post-primary teachers is provided by many third-level institutions. Qualifax provides detailed information on programmes for teacher training.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

English Language Programmes are available throughout Cavan and Monaghan for migrant workers, the unemployed, asylum seekers, refugees and all other non-nationals.

Priority is given to those in need of Basic English language skills to a level of functional competency (A2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or NFQ Level 3).

We cater for all levels from absolute beginners to QQI Level 4.

Accreditation

Courses can be non-accredited or accredited at NFQ Levels 2 to 4.

SaorEd

Provide access to entry level and advanced courses online for asylum seekers and refugees. English language classes, Information Technology and career preparation courses. The advantage of SaorEd is the classes are available anytime of the day.

Web: www.saored.com

Information on registering your qualification and having it recognised under the Irish National Qualifications System:

➢ Recognition of professional qualifications (www.gov.ie)
➢ Ukrainian Qualifications
➢ Syrian Qualification