asked the Minister for Education if she will consider introducing a familiarity with agriculture programmes for youth in inner cities who would not normally experience this important facet of Irish economic and social life.
Written Answers. - Inner City Youth Programme.
66.
In primary schools, the role of the farmer, the patterns of the seasons, farm animals, crops and products are dealt with, inter alia, in the social and environmental studies programmes of the curriculum. Teachers are encouraged to take pupils out of doors to observe plants and animals. The use of filmstrips and slides helps to create an awareness of farm life. A nature table is a normal feature in most classrooms and practical indoor gardening is encouraged, with pupils taking an active part in the development of an outdoor school garden where this is feasible.
At the post-primary level, the junior cycle syllabuses in Science A (general) and Science E (environmental) are such as to allow pupils from a non-farming background to learn the elements of agriculture. The extent to which provision is made for these subjects in the timetable of individual schools is a matter for the management authorities of the schools, who must of course have regard to local circumstances. I do not have a proposal to introduce any additional programmes on the topic at this time.