asked the Minister for Education if he will consider the present attitude of the Government towards the inclusion of civics on the secondary school courses; if he considers it desirable that civics should form a much more basic part of the secondary school course than at present; and whether it might be included in the Leaving Certificate as an examination subject.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civics Course.
3.
Civics is compulsory in secondary schools up to the intermediate certificate. The Syllabus Committee for Civics, which includes representatives of the Department, teacher's associations and school management, have always advised that civics should not be a subject for public examination. The reason for this is that the basic purpose of civics is to foster social awareness and a sense of social responsibility, along with appropriate social attitudes and habits. It has been thought that a public examination in civics would inevitably shift the teaching emphasis from attitudes, habits and awareness to the memorisation of facts, and to a shift in methodology from inquiry and activist learning to a more academic approach to the subject.
I consider that the views of the Syllabus Committee deserve to be given due weight.
Apart from the implications for other subjects in the Minister's reply in relation to what the examinations system would purport to be doing to them, would the Minister accept that because of the present situation and because of the low priority it has in schools, civics is very much a charade? Would he not agree that in many cases it is omitted totally from the syllabus and the time with which civics should be taken up, is occupied by examination subjects and that the noble attributes in the Minister's reply are not being dealt with at all in some schools and are being dealt with most inadequately in others?
I cannot accept that any subject which is treated in our schools is a charade.
Would the Minister accept that there is cause for concern about the manner in which civics is taught in relation to the priority it has in the average timetable of schools and with the effect which this would undoubtedly have in trying to inculcate a respect among our young people for our institutions? Would the Minister also accept that civics is particularly important in view of recent events, particularly the reduction of the voting age, and in view of the on-coming European elections? Young people need to be encouraged to take an interest in civic affairs. Would the Minister accept that in many cases that aim has been supplanted by an examination factor?
I would not accept that any subject taught by qualified people in our schools is a charade. I do not want to sound complacent about it but I also remind the Deputy that knowledge is not necessarily virtue.
In view of the reduction in the voting age would the Minister consider that it would be good if civics were taught in fifth and sixth year class with special emphasis on the cultural and political structures of the country? I am sure the Minister is aware that many young people leave school and go out to vote not really knowing what the real questions are.
We cannot have a speech. Next question.