Kilkenny and Carlow ETB take home prizes at inaugural ETB Excellence Awards

Seán Holt, a student from Ghaelcholáiste Cheatharlach in Carlow was awarded the Gradam Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha, Barr Feabhais sa Ghaeloideachas, at the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards on Thursday, March 2.

The awards were run by Education and Training Boards Ireland as it celebrated 10 years of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland.

PICTURES: Minister for Education visits schools across Kilkenny City

Pictures by Vicky Comerford (St. John's) and provided by schools

Kilkenny and Carlow ETB were also the overall winner in the Excellence Award for Respect category.

The awards were run by Education and Training Boards Ireland as it celebrated 10 years of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Ireland.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony in Croke Park which also marked ‘ETB Day’. Hosted by RTÉ newsreader and former ETB student, Ray Kennedy, the event was attended by representatives from all 16 ETBs across the country.

Some of the awards presented at the ceremony included the ETB Excellence in Education Award, the ETB Excellence Award for Equality, the ETB Excellence in Further Education and Training Award, and the ETB Excellence in Youth Services Award, amongst others.

Congratulating the awardees, Paddy Lavelle, Chief Executive of ETBI said: “It gives me great pride to congratulate all the winners, and indeed runners-up on their success in the inaugural ETB Excellence Awards. We received over 500 entries from ETBs across the country to the Awards detailing the great people and initiatives that are ongoing in all corners of Ireland.

“The standard across all categories was extremely competitive, meaning we had a very difficult job in narrowing the entries down and selecting our winners. The work of all ETBs – not those just officially recognised at the awards – deserves to be commended. Their commitment and passion for education, for learning and for their communities play a vital role in ensuring that there are broad and varied options for people to engage with education and training across the country, no matter what stage of their learning journey they are at.

“This year is a milestone year for ETBs as we celebrate 10 years since their formation in Ireland. Over the past decade, ETBs have delivered learning and education opportunities for everyone – including primary and post primary schools, further education and training and youth services. ETBs have revolutionised Ireland’s education system, and I hope that we can continue to deliver innovative, diverse and flexible learning pathways over the next ten years, and beyond.”

Education & Training Boards are Ireland’s leading statutory providers of Education and Training and are unique in providing lifelong learning for all.

Collectively, the 16 Education and Training Boards have responsibility for 27 Community National Schools and 250 Post-Primary Schools with over 117,000 students.