Gaeilge
Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) has today published its 2021 Annual Report, outlining the vast range of services and activities it delivered throughout the last year.
Despite the ongoing pandemic restrictions that continued into part of 2021, 17,680 students availed of its post-primary, Further Education and Training (FET), outdoor education and training and music education services.
Fifteen out of the twenty-seven post-primary schools in Co Donegal are directly managed by Donegal ETB which 5,258 students attended in 2021. The ETB is also a trustee partner for a further eight Community and Comprehensive schools in the county.
Its extensive range of Further Education and Training (FET) courses supported over 7,140 students across a wide range of education and training options throughout the year. While a further 4,291 students availed of courses at its outdoor education and training centre at Gartan and 991 attended music classes with its music service, the Donegal Music Education Partnership.
The ETB measures its services across three key priority areas – teaching and learning; a progressive, accountable organisation and working with partners, outlined in its 2017-2021 Strategy Statement, ‘Lean ar Aghaidh’, and its 2021 Service Plan. A staff team of 1,628 full-time and part-time staff and a budget of €83.5 million supported the delivery of its services making the ETB one of the largest employers in the county.
Donegal ETB’s Chairperson in 2021 was Cllr Albert Doherty thanked Donegal ETB’s Chief Executive Anne McHugh and all the staff who assisted the role of the Chairperson throughout the year for their support and assistance, noting that, “It was a trying year in education for staff, students, school management and parents in our schools, colleges and centres and all are to be commended for their efforts.”
Speaking about the publication of the report, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB Anne McHugh said, “Donegal ETB had a difficult start to 2021 with the second period of closure of our schools and centres due to COVID restrictions. The learnings from the 2020 closure certainly paid dividends as everyone was more familiar and confident in relation to Emergency Remote Teaching. Staff showed an unfailing dedication to the continuation of our services and as the days lengthened, the restrictions lessened during March and April.
“We are now delighted to have been given clearance by the Department of Education to publish our Annual Report for 2021. We value the opportunity to share the excellent work of Donegal ETB with our stakeholders and the communities of Co Donegal and beyond. We hope that you find the report to be interesting and informative and we look forward to continuing to work to provide the best possible education and training service to the people of the county.”
The Board of Donegal ETB is made up of twelve elected representatives, two staff, two parents, two local industry and three sectoral interest representatives.
The report is available on the website here.
