The set-up at the country's newest educational establishment provides a "great" learning environment for school kids, it has been claimed.

Gaelscoil na Mi, which is the newest multi-denominational gaelscoil in Ireland, opened its doors for the first time in Co Meath last week, the Independent reports.

It has two classes, each consisting of 18 pupils, which Tricia Ni Mhaolagain from the institution said has a number of benefits.

She explained: "It's great, it means that they have much more one-to-one interaction with the teacher, which is hugely important at that age."

Pupils have their lessons in prefabs at a local Gaelic Athletic Association club and a total immersion technique is used to teach children the Irish language.

Ms Ni Mhaolagain said this works well because the youngsters are like "little sponges" and pick up new words very quickly.

Around 514,000 primary school pupils went back to their classrooms last week and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn proposed a range of measures in a bid to reduce the amount of money parents have to pay for school books.

Written by Donal Walsh

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