Over the coming weeks, the INTO will cast its net wide in order to secure a panel of experts who will visit schools and talk to classes on the subject of heritage. In a pilot project last year, entitled the "Heritage in Schools Scheme", heritage specialists, including botanists, archaeologists and marine biologists, were sent to schools in Galway and Clare, Dublin and Wicklow and made a total of 81 visits to schools. They accompanied teachers and their pupils on field trips within their locality. They discussed historical sites and local monuments with the children. The partnership was developed by the INTO and the Heritage Council.

The programme is being run on a national basis this year and teachers who are aware of individuals who are specialists in a related area like this are asked to contact Edna Jordan, at the professional development unit of the INTO at (01) 872 2533 before Friday, February 14th.