SCHOOLCHILDREN in
Moville will have access to their own unique 'e-pal'
system through a new Peace III project to be
launched later today by Irish President, Mary
McAleese.
The Inishowen Integration through Technology (InIT)
project aims to strengthen long-term links between
Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail and the Church of Ireland St
Columb’s N.S., through IT and joint school
activities.
InIT chairperson Trish Hegarty said they were all
"delighted and honoured" that the President had
accepted their invitation to launch this innovative
project.
Ms McAleese, who has a number of engagements in the
peninsula today, will be greeted by children from
both schools and will then view the children’s
project work.
“We are using laptops and whiteboards to get the
children communicating directly with each other and
using the technology to work together,” said
Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail principal, Alicia Ní Earaín.
St Columb’s principal, Sharon Thompson added: “We
have also been running a joint programme of social,
sporting and art-based activities, to give the
children of the two schools plenty of opportunities
to mix."
This is Moville’s second cross-community Peace
Project. Trish Hegarty worked with InIT treasurer
and St Columb’s parent Catherine Falls on the
Moville Playground Project, which was funded by
Donegal County Council’s Peace II Task Force and
IRDL.
“That project brought a great resource to the town
which all children could share and which created
links between the local schools. The InIT project
allows us to take that one step further by creating
stronger and more sustainable relationships between
the children and these two schools now."
The InIT project has been granted €20,000 by the
PEACE III Programme, managed for the Special EU
Programmes Body by Donegal County Council. Anne
Marie Conlon, secretary of Donegal CDB Peace &
Reconciliation Partnership, described the 'e-pal'
system as “an impressive and well thought out
project which we believe will make a significant
impact in promoting integration and enhancing
technology skills in this region”. |
