Peadar Clohessy
Question:40 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has formulated to bring about badly needed changes in Senior Cycle Education.
Written Answers. - Senior Cycle Education.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:90 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she has considered the recent report of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment proposing a radical review of the senior-cycle secondary school programme, with a three tier Leaving Certificate; if she intends to implement the recommendations of the NCCA; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 90 together.
The terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress provide for a six-year cycle of post-primary education — which will involve a three-year senior cycle — for pupils entering the senior cycle in September, 1994 onwards.
The Leaving Certificate will continue to be a two-year course. Pupils may spend three years at senior cycle, however, through a variety of options. The intention is to provide maximum flexibility in the senior cycle in catering for the different aptitudes, abilities and needs of pupils.
Final decisions on the content and structure of the senior cycle must await completion of consideration of the responses to the Green Paper on Education — including that of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which was contained in their document "Towards the New Century".
In the meantime, my Department will issue guidelines to schools, which will operate on an interim basis, on the options available for a three-year senior cycle from 1994-95.