Donegal ETB’s Outdoor Education and Training Centre (OETC) was among the centres hailed for their transformative power at a national gathering last week.
Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins T.D. hailed the Outdoor Education and Training Centres (OETC) run by Ireland’s Education and Training Boards as he launched a new Strategic Framework for the sector on Achill Island on Monday last.
“Outdoor Education and training can have a transformative effect on the lives of learners and in promoting sustainability” he stated. “The launch of this strategy marks a new era in the development of outdoor education and training, prioritising health and wellbeing, the enhancement of learning, fostering inclusion and leading sustainability, and it is fitting that we do so here in Achill, the first ETB Outdoor Education and Training Centre as it celebrates its fiftieth year. “
Personnel from ETB outdoor education centres gathered for a two-day event, including a specially convened meeting of ETB and OETC Directors and training sessions with a particular focus on sustainability and the green agenda.
Welcoming the attendees, ETBI Director of Further Education and Training Fiona Maloney stated: “a transformative outdoor experience can contribute to the development of our learners’ environmental stewardship empowering them to reach their full potential and to contribute to society at all stages of their lives, to develop the personal and social skills necessary to be active citizens, effective employees and drivers of change for a better environment and a more sustainable future.”
ETB Outdoor Education and Training Centres provide a learning environment with opportunities for active, experiential, and social learning through water-based, land-based, and centre-based activities. The strategic framework provides a roadmap for the sector and centres on four key pillars:
- Leading Education for Sustainability
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing
- Fostering Inclusion Building Skills,
- Enhancing Learning
Donegal ETB’s Outdoor Education and Training Centre (OETC) is located on its 87-acre estate at Gartan.
Dr Martin Gormley, Director of Schools Donegal ETB and Co-Chairperson of the National Steering Group of Centre Directors emphasised the exciting and contribution that outdoor education and training can make in all sectors of education from primary to post-primary and onwards to Further and Higher Education. He recognised the change in the funding model as an opportunity to reimagine outdoor education and training with an emphasis on key skills, inclusion and pathways to progression. Dr Gormley stated, “outdoor education and training space has so much more to offer outside of the core skills, through personal development, environmental challenges, wellbeing and sustainability. Donegal ETB is looking forward to adopting the new strategy within our own centre at the Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre.”
