Vol. 489 No. 1
44 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for a greater alignment of the second level schools curricula in the Republic and in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7447/98]
Pupils transfer to second level schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at different ages and they also take their first national certificate examinations at different ages. In addition, the leaving certificate programme involves a broad range of subjects while the A Level programme involves the study of three subjects in more detail. Consequently, there are some inherent difficulties in aligning second level curricula in both jurisdictions.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, and the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment, CCEA, have worked closely in the development of civic, social and political education in the Republic of Ireland and in the programme of education for mutual understanding in Northern Ireland. There is regular contact between the NCCA and the CCEA and also with other curriculum councils in England, Wales and Scotland through the curriculum councils liaison group, CCLG, through consultation on curricular developments, early drafts of new syllabi and trends in assessment.
At departmental level, the European studies project has developed modules in History, Geography and the European dimension which dovetail, as appropriate, into the separate curricular requirements in both jurisdictions. From time to time to mark important historical events curricular material is developed for use in both education systems. The cross connect project which is funded under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation includes development of agreed joint curriculum projects for the eight schools involved.
