andMr. Kemmy asked the Minister for Education if he will consider establishing a course on comparative studies in politics and religion in the new secondary school curriculum.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Secondary School Curriculum.
7.
One of the Government's commitments towards educational development is the proposal to establish an Independent Curriculum and Examinations Board. I would envisage that this board would examine existing curricula with a view to evaluating their relevance to modern needs and to identifying what changes in them would be necessary or desirable. I do not consider that I should anticipate the board's recommendations in this matter.
Would the Minister not think it would be a good idea for his Department to broaden out the school curriculum along the lines suggested by Deputy Browne and myself?
When I was speaking in the Seanad recently on a motion regarding the establishment of the Independent Curriculum and Examinations Board, I said I believed it was necessary that all aspects of the curriculum for second level should be examined now to see how relevant they are to the requirements of modern life and to the training and employment needs of young people. Recently I arranged to have copies of that speech sent to the schools throughout the country and to those interested in educational development. I invited their comments. The establishment of this Independent Curriculum and Examinations Board is a very important step. The re-examination of the second level curriculum to establish its relevance to the world of work and the world of today, is a very important step indeed. Obviously, all of the areas, including those mentioned in the Deputies' question, will be examined in the context of the establishment of that board.
Would the Minister not agree that, over the years, the curriculum has been much too restrictive and protective and that this has resulted in the conservative type of society we have today? As a politician, on our behalf would he declare that as Minister, and presumably with a representative on this board, he will recommend that these two subjects, particularly comparative political systems and ideally comparative religions, should be provided for young people at this stage of their lives to try to develop and enlightened and politically literate electorate?
There is a recognition on the part of everyone involved in education, and especially in second level education, that there is a need to examine the relevance of the second level curriculum. I said in the Seanad:
I should like to see the Curriculum and Examinations Board explore ways in which the leaving certificate examination could be extended in scope. I should like to see a way found in which credit can be given for courses followed in the area of general education alongside the existing syllabi. I think, for example, of courses in media education, health education, consumer education, even political education.
Civics has been a subject which has been treated less than seriously in too many cases. It is a subject which should offer great scope to the teacher to help young people become more aware of the many influences within society which affect them and of the way in which State and political institutions exist to serve the needs of the people. I should like to see a much greater emphasis placed on the development of this subject. I do not understand why it has been largely restricted to junior cycle classes. It seems to me that students at an older age will appreciate more readily the significance of many of the issues which can be included.
Consequently the Deputy can rest assured I am very much aware of the need to examine and broaden the curriculum and to examine its relevance for the needs, not just of today but of coming decades.
Does the Minister see it as important that we should have education at second level which has generally been called "education for life"? I think we would all accept that our educational system at that level is too academically based and that many young people come out of school——
The Deputy cannot make a statement.
Would the Minister consider the importance of having a course which would deal with matters such as home budgeting, child care, sex education, marriage preparation, ensuring that young people coming out of school can at least fill in a tax form and understand about——
That is a separate question that does not arise on this.
Is the Minister satisfied that he will have the co-operation of the teaching organisations in the setting up of the independent Curriculum and Examinations Board on which according to the answer, the changes depend?
I feel confident I will have the co-operation of all of those who have an interest in seeing the curriculum become more relevant to the needs of today and thereby help to improve the situation within primary schools.