Today we were delighted to have Bokyeong Kim representing the Korean Ambassador, Vincent Landers from the International section at the Department of Education and Skills and a group of project partners join with our CE Carol Hanney, John Hogan and the CDETB International Desk team and CDETB senior management for a special celebration.

Certificates were presented honouring five teachers from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and six teachers from Chuneongbuk-do Office of Education who have made invaluable contributions to our schools during their time here.

CDETB is now in its fourth year of supporting teachers from the Republic of Korea to complete professional development. Five teachers from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province come each year in September and stay with us until January (5 Months). Six Teachers from Chuneongbuk-do Office of Education come each year in November and stay with us until January (2 Months).

The programme partners include:

• Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
• Chuneongbuk-do Office of Education
• Department of Education and Skills
• Ambassador Lyeo and Korean Embassy staff
• City of Dublin Education and Training Board
• MLI International Schools (Accommodation)
• Drumcondra Education Centre
• Scoil Aine/Clontarf / St Patrick’s Primary Schools
• Pobalscoil Neasain and Portmarnock Community Schools
• Mount Temple Comprehensive School
• Dominican College, Griffith Avenue
• CDETB Colleges —Marino, Larkin, Clonturk, Eoin, Kylemore, Terenure, Rathmines and Margaret Aylward

Mary Rose O’Connor from the CDETB International Desk presented some findings from the visitors who were particularly impressed by how friendly and happy the schools here are and how involved principals and staff are with all students and in every aspect of running a school.

Vincent Landers described how the Department of Education and Skills is building on projects like this and is developing a strong partnership between the Ministries of Education in both countries.

Carol Hanney, our CE, congratulated all the participants for making this important journey. She spoke about how people from Ireland have always travelled the world bringing and experiencing education and said that this is how we all learn, stay relevant and become innovative.

Paul Crone, our Director of Schools, spoke about how proud CDETB is of this project and how important it is to get the news about innovations such as this out there.

John Hogan, who began by giving a history of the project, concluded by thanking the teachers sincerely, wishing them well as they prepare to return home and hoping they will keep in touch and maintain an enduring relationship with the Irish education system.