asked the Minister for Education if he deems it an appropriate time to initiate a formal review of the operation of the primary school curriculum, an Curaclam Nua.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Curaclam Nua.
33.
The ad hoc Curriculum and Examinations Board circulated a Discussion Paper on Primary Education with an invitation for the submission of views and comments by 30 November 1985. Amongst the recommendations is one to initiate a formal review of the curriculum. Until such time as the board have had an opportunity to consider the response to their discussion paper and make their report to me, I would not deem it appropriate to initiate a formal review of the curriculum.
I am aware of the advice of the Curriculum and Examinations Board and that they are as yet only an ad hoc interim board. Any submission by them in the matter, whilst it would warrant careful consideration, would not have the validity of a departmental announcement or edict on the matter. Would the Minister deem it appropriate now for his Department to initiate a formal review of the operation of the primary school curriculum, particularly in view of the fact that there has been great delight at the efficacy of the new curriculum in that it has taken fear from primary schools although it has lead to misgivings among the general public that the very freedom it gave can now be reviewed in the light of more formal needs for pupils in the latter classes of primary schools?
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter until the board have had time to consider the response to their discussion paper. There is no point in setting up an expert board who produce a discussion paper and seek responses to it and then for me to come in here and make a comment which might unwittingly pre-empt their proposals.