Michael P. Kitt
Question:186 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education the information, if any, on the EU that is available for students in primary and post-primary schools. [16200/95]
Written Answers. - Information on EU.
Learning about the European Union is a cross-curricular theme in our schools. Apart from subjects which have an obvious European dimension — modern continental languages, civics, history, geography, music, art, economics, business studies — there are subjects which can provide further opportunities to reinforce the EU awareness of young people. Irish and English, for example, are facets of a wider Europen linguistic and cultural organism. The sciences and mathematics have been enriched and developed by European co-operation. The home economics programme extends to areas such as consumer affairs, cuisine and fashion; these have a European and, indeed, a wider focus.
My Department and the Office of the European Commission, Dublin are at present supporting the development of a major project to encourage and assist schools to teach about the EU in the transition year programme. The significance and substance of the project can be gauged from the initial aim which is to produce a general module on the European Union of 30 hours duration and five extension modules of 15 hours each which schools may choose to use in the transition year programme. Development of the modules is to be supported by a resource pack of work books and video. In addition, existing material available through the EU will be reviewed and its suitability as support material assessed. Among the features of the modules will be materials on the origins, development and philosophy of the European Union. This module will be available for introduction into schools in 1996.
Léargas — the Exchange Bureau — runs various EU Programmes on behalf of my Department and prepares two publications for circulation to schools free of charge:
(a) Schools Newsflash this publication offers information on all the programmes available to schools, closing dates for applications etc. It is published three times a year.
(b) Cónasc this yearly publication gives information on European Community Education and Training Initiatives in Ireland. Details of all such programmes are outlined in this publication.
In addition to the above, a brochure is issued in December each year by my Department to all second-level schools concerning the European Schools Day Competition, which is an art and essay competition run by the European Centre in Bonn. The themes for the competition have a European dimension.