Vol. 430 No. 3
11 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education if, in relation to the promise in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 she will introduce a comprehensive peace programme into the curriculum at all levels of education; and the plans, if any, she has to introduce this programme.
The report of the Review Body of the Primary Curriculum examined the whole area of civics and has made recommendations on the matter. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently examining these recommendations in consultation with the interested parties. The NCCA will advise me in relation to a revision of this and all other aspects of the curriculum and in that regard I will pay particular attention to the peace studies.
I consider that, at present, there is sufficient scope and flexibility in the primary and post-primary school curricula under the civics programme to allow the teacher to inculcate in pupils a peace ethic.
The approach which has generally been taken with topics such as peace studies is to include it either as a cross-curricular theme, as a module within an appropriate subject area or as an integral part of the programme in a relevant subject area or areas. It is in this context I will consider these options in developing a peace studies programme.
I am very glad to hear that the Minister has made so much progress. The Minister will accept that out history is full of battles, wars and faction fights. We do not in any way wish to breach the integrity of history, but nevertheless in the times in which we now live it is crucially important that we include peace studies in our school curricula. In the light of what the Minister said, has any curriculum development body designed a programme of studies and, if so, how soon can they have a draft programme available for consideration by the Minister? Presumably that will be the time to decide how to fit that programme into an already very much overladen school timetable. When the programme is drawn up it can be decided whether to put in additional modules, whether it is to be a transdiscipline, transcurricula exercise and what way the peace studies programme will be delivered to the students in the schools.
I agree that we are not going to rewrite history but there are other elements to our history that we may not have concentrated on. The leaving certificate has among its aims the study of history which would help students to understand present trends and problems. Geography refers to educating children as a step towards gaining a well rounded education. It is important that a student approaching final examination should have the opportunity of developing positive attitudes in relation to such matters as the interdependence of people and the need for social co-operation at all levels. There was a reference in regard to economic history to policies for the development of less developed areas. The curriculum has changed since I studied it.
In regard to the designing of a programme the NCCA document, Civil, Social and Political Education at Post-primary level, was published in March as a discussion document. The council sought views by 31 July 1993. The paper emphasises aspects of mutual respect and understanding at local, national and international levels. In looking for a response to that by July 1993 we are making progress. In response to Deputy O'Malley's question, although there was not a specific commitment in the Programme for Government to a particular programme there is certainly a commitment to tackling this matter.
The Minister refers to the fact that there are elements of social interdependence contained in existing courses in schools. However, it is not enough, if we are to judge by results. Since this question was tabled five murders have been committed in the streets of our towns and cities. If there was not a great urgency about trying to change attitudes through better and more structured peace studies in schools, it has been brought to our notice in a very forceful way. We should not delay in putting that kind of teaching in place in our schools.
That concludes questions for today.
