Family literacy and Travellers

Travellers in Ireland

• Irish

• Both nomadic and settled

• Traditionally not engaged with education

system

• Marginal group

• Face a lot of prejudice in society

Travellers in Ireland

• Own language

• Extended family very important

• Cultural traditions of singing and story-telling

• Cultural traditions, language and way of life under threat

Travellers and family literacy

• Schools are difficult places for Travellers– discrimination and prejudice from teachers,

pupils and other parents– very few books about Travellers– little tradition of formal education

Travellers and family literacy

• Family literacy could be a good point of connection, but only if based clearly on:

– true respect for traditions and culture– understanding of views about schools– advocacy and support role

Travellers and family literacy

• Story-sacks:– craft still popular with some families – but not

all – may help to retrieve women’s skills and

confidence in story-telling and craft work– especially helpful if based on parents’ own

stories