Initiative to teach craft skills to primary pupils

PRIMARY SCHOOLCHILDREN are to be taught “traditional craft skills” such as knitting, sewing, ceramics, jewellery-making and wood-turning under an initiative launched yesterday by Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan.

The programme is being run by the Crafts Council of Ireland in partnership with six regional Education Centres and the National Museum of Ireland.

Officially known as “CRAFTed: Learning Skills for Life”, the programme was designed to give primary school pupils and teachers an “opportunity to explore their creativity and learn new skills by working collaboratively with professional craftspeople”.

Some 900 children in 36 specially selected schools around the State will participate in the scheme during this academic year. The children will spend two hours per week during a five-week period being taught by craftsmen. The project will commence this month in west Dublin, Kilkenny and west Cork and, from November, in schools in Monaghan, Sligo and Athlone.

Louise Allen, the Craft Council’s Education and Awareness manager, said the programme offered “access to highly skilled craftspeople and gives children the chance to use their imagination and explore new materials”.

She said it would initially cost €50,000 and be extended to schools in other areas next year “if the budget is available”.