Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Early Childhood Education.

Bernard Allen

Question:

79 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the work carried out on the proposals in An Action Programme for the Millennium to introduce a parents as first teachers programme. [25894/98]

The Government's programme attached particular importance to the role of parents as the first teachers of their children.

The importance of this role was also highlighted at the National Forum for Early Childhood Education which I held earlier this year. In discussing this issue, the forum also drew attention to the range of State agencies involved in the provision of early education services and stressed the need to co-ordinate and streamline service delivery in this area.

The report of the forum has recently been submitted to my Department and is being considered in the context of the preparation of a White Paper on Early Childhood Education. The White Paper will address the variety of educational issues raised in the forum, including those involved in the Government's commitment to the parents as first teachers programme.

The Deputy will be aware that the core principles of the parents as first teachers idea form part of a number of schemes in my Department and the Department of Health and Children.
Top
Share