Micheál Martin
Question:29 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she intends the subject of history to remain a core part of the junior certificate cycle and that it will not become optional in the future. [19367/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Junior Cycle Curriculum.
"History and Geography" is a core subject for junior certificate pupils in secondary schools. It is not a core subject for pupils of vocational, community or comprehensive schools, but 740 out of a total of 772 second level schools offer history at junior certificate level.
As outlined in the Education White Paper, "Charting our Education Future", the primary objective of the junior cycle is for students to complete a broad, balanced and coherent course of study in a variety of curricular areas relevant to their own personal development and to allow them to achieve a level of competence in these which will enable them to proceed to senior cycle education.
The White Paper indicates that the curricular framework at junior cycle has as one of its objectives that all students, in accordance with their abilities and aptitudes, will have experienced or achieved "a knowledge and appreciation of their social, cultural and physical heritage and environment".
The curricular framework will apply to all second level schools — secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive and to all students in the junior cycle. While the White Paper does not specifically mention the subject "history" within the group of subjects in the core curriculum it is likely that the vast majority of schools will continue to offer either "history and geography "or the kindred option of "environmental and social studies".
Given that the White Paper does not mention history as either a core or an optional subject on the junior cycle curriculum, will the Minister confirm that the Department will not be reducing the status of history which has been a core part of the junior cycle curriculum since the foundation of the State? Will it remain a core part of the junior cycle curriculum in the future?
It is not an obligatory core part of the curriculum in all second level schools. It is in secondary schools. The White Paper only mentions four core subjects — Irish, English, Mathematics, Science or Technology, and then talks about three further subjects. In theory history can be one of the core subjects. There is a promise of modules or short courses in some curricular areas, but this has not yet been developed. These proposals originated in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and it is timely that I, as Minister, invite the NCCA to bring forward proposals about the remainder of the curriculum choice at junior certificate level after the four core subjects have been dealt with.
There was a long lead-in to the publication of the White Paper. It was meant to be a definitive document in terms of curriculum choice in the future. There is a clear differentiation between the treatment of history and geography in the Green Paper proposals which derive from advice received from the NCCA and its treatment in the White Paper. Clearly its status has been reduced in the White Paper, and I ask the Minister to reaffirm for the general public and for teachers of history the central importance of history in the development of a broad and balanced approach. History is a multidisciplinary subject which embraces music, literature, the arts, political history, interpersonal understanding, understanding of different cultures and so forth, and there is considerable alarm that its status is being significantly reduced. The Minister should give far greater commitment to the subject and particularly to the practitioners involved.
The title of the White Paper is apposite. It is entitled "Charting our Education Future", and that is what it sets out to do. There is a specific role in it for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which has been invited over time to bring forward proposals to the Minister and the Department of Education about changes in our curriculum. I repeat, there are only four core subjects in the junior certificate as proposed — Irish, English, mathematics and science or a technological subject. We are also looking at the possibility of changes in the junior certificate curriculum and introducing a range of full and short courses. There are recommendations from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment — language and literature, mathematical studies, science and technology, civic, social and political education, arts education, religious education, guidance counselling, pastoral care, physical education, health education and relationships and sexuality education.
It is generally agreed that not all these courses will be in the form of full subjects. Some will be modules of subjects. I repeat that in the light of the concerns, raised by the Deputy and history teachers, it is timely that I ask the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to respond to an invitation from me to bring forward proposals on the new junior certificate core and optional subjects.