Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

70 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to request NCCA to develop a programme particularly geared to the needs of pupils with disadvantages highlighted in numerous reports within the primary education curriculum. [15026/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

It is a fundamental principle of the primary school curriculum that individual differences between children should be recognised and catered for in the school programme. It posits that the curriculum should be sufficiently flexible to allow each child to progress at an appropriate pace and to achieve satisfaction and success at his or her own level. The Report of the Review Body on the Primary Curriculum (1990) was supportive of the retention of this principle in any future curriculum review.

The revised primary curriculum at present being completed by the NCCA also takes account of the need to cater for individual differences. Its broad objectives are set down in a format which requires that due account should be taken of intrinsic abilities and varying circumstances among pupils. The NCCA is at present preparing an issues booklet, entitled Differentiation, which will accompany and inform the main curriculum statements and teacher-guidelines in relation to pupils with varying needs. The NCCA has also recently established a working group on pupils with special educational needs.