DONEGAL ETB has made two new appointments in a bid to support Ukrainian students.
Creeslough native Ms Rosaleen Harkin has been appointed as the Donegal Regional Education and Language Team (REALT) Coordinator and Mr Lochlainn McCool has been appointed as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Schools Support Officer.
The REALT team, with Ms Liz Potter as administrator, supports the county coordinating group which oversees this work and is hosted by Donegal ETB.
The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing education support structures in the county, with a focus on supporting the educational needs of children from Ukraine arriving in Donegal and to help families to find a school place.
This work involves working with the families, primary and post-primary school principals and communities to locate school places, providing relevant information as well as signposting to supports across the system.
The team ensures that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to Ukrainian arrivals to Donegal.
Speaking about her appointment, Rosaleen said she wants to make a difference in helping Ukrainian families with their educational needs.
“I know from my previous work in schools that there is a very inclusive approach to education throughout Donegal. I am looking forward to working with all the different agencies and stakeholders,” she said.
Culdaff native, Lochlainn said he is looking forward to joining the REALT team here in Donegal.
“I want to make a valuable contribution to the work and I am eager to see the impact of our efforts in helping Ukrainian children settle in the community, through school attendance. I have always had a strong community involvement and I have a genuine interest in this type of work,” he said.
Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley congratulated Rosaleen and Lochlainn on their new appointments.
At the start of this year there were 752 Ukrainian students in primary schools and 405 Ukrainian students in post-primary schools across Donegal.
Rosaleen and Lochlainn are to take up their appointments immediately.
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