Why Ireland?
"The aim of education is not to fill a bucket, but to light a fire." These words by the famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats serve as a guiding principle for many schools on the Emerald Isle. Here, they strive not just to stuff the student's head with useful and useless information, but to awaken a love of knowledge and teach independent thinking. The Irish have long prided themselves on their educational traditions; attendance at Irish schools is arguably the highest in Europe, and one of the most prestigious professions is that of a schoolteacher. Unsurprisingly, one can encounter many extraordinary individuals among the local educators.
Nevertheless, just a couple of decades ago, few people outside Ireland thought of sending their children to this country. Higher education is one thing: studying at the famous Trinity College Dublin has always been considered an honor. School is quite another: it seemed, why would a child study in small and then not yet very prosperous Ireland when there is Britain or, failing that, Switzerland?
The number of foreign children in Irish schools today is still not as large as in British schools. Nevertheless, many, having soundly reasoned, choose Ireland. After all, besides the high quality of education, this country has many advantages, in particular safety, still relatively low cost of living and tuition, the friendliness and warmth of the local people, and, of course, a special attitude towards children.
Moreover, the school education system in Ireland almost completely mirrors the British one. Actually, this is the case in most countries that were once part of the British Empire. It should be noted, however, that this system, consisting of sequential independent educational stages, is based on the traditional European model of schooling, which in turn dates back to antiquity. Today, few remember what the "trivium" and "quadrivium" are, but in a somewhat modified form, the traditional school structure successfully functions in the modern world as well.
First steps
There are two compulsory stages in an Irish school: primary and secondary. An Irish child often starts learning as early as 4 years old. However, sometimes a child is sent to school only upon reaching the age of six. Kindergartens and nurseries are not widespread in Ireland: after all, for raising very young children, there is the family.
Primary school lasts eight years. There are about 3,000 free primary schools in Ireland, and in addition to these, there are also a number of fee-paying boarding schools that operate under the British prep school system.
In primary school, everything revolves around the child. One could say that every student here is in the spotlight. The curriculum and educational program are flexible; they are built taking into account the character and abilities of each individual student. Teaching methods are also applied to each student based on their character. In short, a complete triumph of the individual approach: everything is done not to cut everyone with the same brush, but to cultivate a unique personality in each. It must be said that exactly the same approaches are used at higher levels, but there is more strictness and discipline, and teachers rely more on the students' own conscientiousness.
Young personalities study mathematics, English and Gaelic, religion, the environment, music, visual and applied arts. Great importance is attached to sports — schools care not only about the spiritual but also the physical health of students. At the end of primary school, children do not take psychologically traumatic exams, but as a rule, they take a test on general development and knowledge of basic subjects.
Secondary education
12 years old is a turning point in the life of a young Irish person. They begin secondary education. Actually, it is at this stage that foreign children appear in schools: after all, few parents risk sending a "six-year-old" to study abroad. Moreover, this is associated with certain bureaucratic difficulties.
Secondary schools in Ireland can be public or private. At the same time, private schools, which are managed by a board of trustees, a religious community, or an individual owner, are typically state-supported. So Irish students receive secondary education almost for free. Foreigners, however, must pay for their children's education both in day schools and boarding schools. But even the most "expensive" Irish school is still cheaper than a British one. By the way, foreigners are accepted in Ireland not only into private schools but also into public ones. True, compared to private ones, the latter have disadvantages: primarily overcrowded (by Irish standards) classes and not as rich a selection of electives. The usual list of subjects looks like this: Gaelic and English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, geography, economics, accounting principles, history, business organization, commerce, art, technical drawing, music, physical education.
Secondary school is in turn divided into three stages. Considering our interests, this is quite convenient: a child can complete either all three, or two, or just the third stage without needing to "catch up" with classmates.
After finishing junior secondary school (junior cycle), which lasts three years, the child will receive a Junior Certificate. Actually, fifteen-year-old graduates end their compulsory secondary education here — they may not return to school.
But we are sending a child to Ireland not for him to remain undereducated and continue his education at a vocational school. So we either successfully skip the junior level or move to the next one, which is called transition year. It is dedicated to in-depth study of 9-13 electives. You can choose English language, literature, history, mathematics, information technology, home economics, fine arts. Then students undergo internships (for example, in computer companies, travel agencies, etc.) And at the end of the transition year, they select six to eight subjects that they will study further.
On the approach to university
And finally, the third stage of secondary school (senior cycle), the most important for those who plan to enter a university. If a foreign student does not complete it, his admission to university will be in great doubt. This stage is very similar to the British A-Level. Over two years, they study six to eight chosen subjects and ultimately take the exam for the Irish secondary education certificate LCE, Leaving Certificate Examinations (also called LC, Leaving Certificate). And with it - a direct path to any university not only in Ireland but also in any English-speaking country.
Some schools also offer other graduation programs: International Baccalaureate (IB) or British A-level (Advanced Level), whose certificates are recognized by most universities in the world.
To obtain LCE, an Irish student must study for a total of 14 years. Our child has it easier: he can complete only the last stage and take the exams. By the way, in Ireland there are also special 'graduation schools' specifically aimed at preparing for final school and university entrance exams. These programs can be recommended to our applicants whose certificates have not been recognized by Irish universities. They can take an accelerated one-year preparation course here to pass the LCE exams.
Daily life and customs
Among Irish schools there are day schools for commuters and boarding schools. A foreign child attending a day school can be arranged to live with a family. Boarders, of course, live in the school dormitory. It is hard to say which is better; at any rate, one hears different opinions from the kids. The family attracts with greater freedom, the boarding school with constant presence among peers and a 'sense of camaraderie'.
Boarding schools are often located not in cities but 'in the open field', representing a kind of country estate. Such a secluded position has its advantages, primarily complete safety and the absence of 'temptations of the big city'. Children leave the school grounds only in an organized manner (excursions, cultural outings, etc.) and accompanied by adults. Otherwise, nothing distracts them from their studies.
School campuses usually have everything necessary for living and studying. Schools compete in ingenuity, equipping their sports grounds, classrooms, study and recreation rooms, theater, dance, cinema halls - in general, all the rooms where children are at one time or another during the day. But the bedroom in the dormitory is only for sleeping. Younger students sleep in large dormitories of eight to twelve people, which have only the most necessary furniture: each has a bed, nightstand, locker for personal items and clothes. High school students are given more comfortable conditions: a double room that students can decorate according to their personal tastes (of course, within the school rules).
Ireland is a religious country, so in schools, of course, services and lessons of 'God's law' are held. But children of non-Catholic faith are not forced to attend them - unless they themselves are interested in what the priest is saying.
To be honest, two of our young high school students, with whom I once had a chance to talk at an Irish school (they acted as campus guides) amazed me. Sixteen-year-old 'lads' behaved with calm dignity and willingly answered tricky journalist questions, passionately defending school rules as soon as we dared to question them. And in general, every word they spoke conveyed such love for the school (where, by the way, they had been studying only for the second year). I don't know what kind of students they became after finishing school and entering university. Probably good ones. The important thing is that the Irish school instilled in them wonderful personal qualities, and for this alone it is worth entrusting your child to the teachers of the Emerald Isle.