asked the Minister for Education if the proposes to request that our schools, in civics classes, give simple guidance on how the national flag should be handled and respected.
Written Answers. - National Flag.
42.
The syllabus in civics in the curriculum for national schools urges that teachers should foster in their pupils a sense of national identity. Among the suggestions made in this regard is the teaching of the history of the national flag and the significance and respect which should be accorded to it.
In so far as secondary schools are concerned, the position is that civics is an obligatory non-examination subject for junior cycle pupils. The special object of a course in civics it to ensure that the pupils acquire an adequate knowledge of, and a proper respect for, local and national institutions and of their own rights and responsibilities as citizens. The national flag is specifically mentioned as one of the topics to be dealt with on the civics syllabus.