Richard Bruton
Question:385 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether a four year junior cycle option could be used as a method of allowing schools flexibility in developing their pupils. [17845/97]
Written Answers. - Junior Cycle Curriculum.
From the beginning of the school year 1994-95, in accordance with the then existing Programme for Economic and Social Progress, provision was made for a six year cycle of post-primary education. In addition to the normal junior cycle, this allowed for a three year senior cycle, to include the transition year programme which is now available to all second level schools.
The existing three-year junior cycle curriculum offers a broad range of subjects which affords schools ample flexibility to develop pupils' abilities consistent with each school's own range of subject options and pupil needs. However, within the context of a six year cycle of post-primary education for all, a four-year junior cycle option would preclude access to a transition year programme or, where TYP is not offered, the repeat of the second year of a leaving certificate programme. The mission statement of the transition year programme, which was followed by 24,298 pupils in 501 schools in 1996-97, is to provide education for maturity by promoting the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils. It enables them to experience new subjects-curricular areas, some of which they may not have been able to study in the junior cycle. It also prepares them to take a two year leaving certificate programme in one of its three orientations viz. established leaving certificate, the leaving certificate vocational programme and the leaving certificate applied, according to their abilities.
I am confident that the junior cycle curriculum with its wide choice of 25 subjects and the transition year programme which enables each school to design its own individual programme, both give schools appropriate flexibility in developing their pupils.