Vol. 398 No. 2
11 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement regarding the many views which have been expressed in favour of the teaching of a modern European language in all our national schools, having regard to her position as chairperson of the European Council of Education Ministers, as some schools with the resources to do so are already providing such instruction for their pupils.
As the remit of the Primary Curriculum Review Body covers the whole area of curriculum at primary level I do not propose to make a statement in relation to the teaching of European languages in national schools until I have received and considered their report.
I am, of course, aware of the many views expressed in this regard and will give due consideration to these views in the light of the recommendations of the review body who will report to me in two weeks' time.
I should like to impress on the Minister the urgency of teaching European languages at national school level. She should bear in mind the volume of Irish people who are emigrating to the Continent where at least one European language is imperative.
I agree with the Deputy. We have to wait to see what the review body will say in their report. That report will be widely distributed and given serious consideration. It will contain the views of the various interests and we look forward to seeing what it contains.
Will the Minister agree that in certain schools which have the resources, European languages are being taught within the national school structure? Will the Minister agree that if some have such opportunities all pupils are entitled to them as a right under the Constitution? In my view continental languages are essential for our young people who may go to the Continent seeking employment.
No person is doubting the importance of European languages. The Deputy's point is a valid one but if one was to carry his views into all aspects of education, that all requests should be catered for, we would have a never ending range of activities in our schools. The subject matter of the Deputy's question is, from what I have read in the newspapers, a matter that has led to a lot of debate at meetings of the curriculum review body.
Is it the case that the Minister's representatives on the review body have opposed the introduction of a continental language in primary schools?
Truthfully, I do not know. I am aware of what the public read in the newspapers of what takes place at those meetings. Purposely, I do not talk to anybody about those matters because of the danger of being influenced in my thinking on the final report. I do not know what they say at their meetings.
The Minister can take it from me that that is the attitude her Department are adopting.
The Deputy must be the source of the leaks.
The recipient.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): Will the Minister ensure that primary teachers who are regarded as the Jacks or Jacquelines of all trades are not expected to suddenly become fluent in European languages? Will she ensure that proper arrangements are made for the teaching of languages in primary schools, if that decision is made?
The Deputy used a very colourful turn of phrase; I would put the Jacquelines first. We must await the publication of the report of the review body. Irrespective of what the report contains we will not have teachers teaching any subject if they are not qualified.
Will the Minister agree that it is her responsibility to ensure that children have the skills in the future to get employment? With all the talk about a united Europe and so on it is important that they should have the ability to communicate. It is the responsibility of the Minister to put in place a structure under which children at primary school level are given the opportunity of learning one European language. What plans has the Minister to provide qualified teachers?
The Deputy will be aware that at post-primary level there was an 84 per cent increase since 1987, when I took office, in the number of pupils taking German and French. The LINGUA Conference which will be held shortly will highlight that. Our students are will equipped for work on the Continent. Many matters need to be attended to in the primary school system and I am sure they will form part of the report of the review body.
The Minister has not answered my question.
We should make progress on other questions. Progress is very slow today on questions.
It is indeed.
Let us expedite matters.
