Brendan Howlin
Question:60 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to include the travellers' culture within the school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Travellers' Culture.
I am satisfied that there is sufficient scope within the existing primary school curriculum to deal with this topic and it comes under one of the headings listed in the civics syllabus for senior classes.
The syllabus has been drafted so as to allow the greatest degree of flexibility to teachers in selecting programmes most suitable and feasible for each individual school. The environment of the school and its pupils are regarded as important considerations when selecting these programmes.
The post-primary curriculum, too, is sufficiently flexible to allow for treatment of related topics within existing syllabi. The curriculum aims at inculcating social and civic virtues, a sense of the common good, tolerance towards and sympathy with the needs and problems of others.