Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 7

Written Answers. - Second Level Curriculum.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

54 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to ensure a full and comprehensive curriculum at second-level in view of the imminent reduction in pupil number intakes due to a demographic decline. [18079/96]

As indicated in the White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future, the policy objective will be to provide second level schools that are large enough to adequately meet the variety of curricular demands, to meet community education needs and to enhance the role of schools in vocational education and training and adult and continuing education.

A Commission on School Accommodation Needs was established in March 1996 to conduct comprehensive demographic and statistical research and to report to me. The first task of the commission is to report on the rationalisation of the vocational education committees and it is intended that this report will be published on Friday, 11 October 1996. Among the commission's subsequent tasks will be the provision of recommendations for the rationalisation of schools at second level. The impact of the demographic decline will be considered by the commission in this context. It is anticipated that there will be centres where rationalisation is not possible and, in such cases, the education boards will play a key role in ensuring that adequate educational opportunities are available. Where rationalisation is not an appropriate option, close co-operation between schools in a given locality will be necessary in order to provide a comprehensive range of senior-cycle programmes. The education boards will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are put in place to provide a variety of senior-cycle programmes in a locality. Special consideration in the provision of resources will be given to small schools in isolated areas.

A comprehensive curriculum is available for all schools. Each individual school cannot be expected to be in a position to provide all programmes. Schools select and provide the programmes most suitable for the needs of their pupils. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has been asked to advise on how the demands of the very wide variety of subjects can be met within the junior cycle curriculum.

Top
Share