The European Parliament in Ireland recently welcomed teachers from eight Dublin secondary schools to participate in the European Parliament Ambassador School Programme (EPAS) training for the 2026-2027 academic year.
For the past 10 years, the programme has given students across Europe the opportunity to understand their rights as EU citizens and to learn about the role of the European Parliament.
Teachers from the following schools took part in the training:
- Bremore Educate Together, Balbriggan
- Grange Community College, Donaghmede
- Kingswood Community College, Tallaght
- Old Bawn Community School, Tallaght
- Manor House School, Raheny
- Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School
- St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush
- The King’s Hospital School, Palmerstown
During this important year when Ireland holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, there has never been a better time to learn about the European Union, and there are 24 secondary schools from Dublin taking part in the EPAS programme this year.
Teachers act as ‘Senior Ambassadors’ and guide their students on European topics. Students can become “Junior Ambassadors” and they are tasked with coming up with creative ways to bring Europe into the classroom, under the supervision of their teachers.
During the school year, they will organise events and activities in their schools to raise awareness about democracy in Europe and EU values.
Each Dublin school will also host their own event to celebrate Europe Day on 9 May 2027.
The European Parliament in Ireland then invites schools that successfully complete the programme to an award ceremony with MEPs in the spring.
Fearghas Ó Béara, Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland said,
‘The EPAS programme has been a huge success with secondary school pupils and teachers across Ireland.
“The programme aims to channel that enthusiasm into tangible community projects, ones which help communicate the crucial role that the European Union plays in national, local and personal life.
“Each year I am impressed by the calibre of the projects, and their ingenuity in promoting European values and cultures to new audiences.”
The programme has been successful in building a network of secondary schools across the European Union, with over 2 000 schools participating, and with nearly 40 000 students named Junior Ambassadors.
The training of Dublin teachers in European affairs provides an opportunity for their school communities to learn about democracy in the European Union, while promoting civic and political education.