Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Teacher Support Services.

David Stanton

Question:

446 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, that exist to further develop civic, social and political education in schools; his views in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18036/00]

David Stanton

Question:

447 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the evaluation, if any, that has taken place, or will take place, regarding the operation and success or otherwise of the civic, social and political education programme in second level schools since the inception of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18037/00]

David Stanton

Question:

448 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the support service for the civic, social and political education programme is to be withdrawn; if so to explain the reason this is happening at this time; the other supports that are in place or will be put in place in order to further help teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18038/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 448, inclusive, together.

Support services are established by the in-career development unit of my Department for limited periods to provide inservice training for teachers involved in areas of substantial curriculum change. The periods in question would normally be of two to three years duration depending on the extent of the change.

Following an extensive pilot phase of inservice, a support service for CSPE teachers was set up at the beginning of the 1996-97 school year for a period of three years to the end of the school year 1998-99. Following a review of the position at that stage, having regard to the fact that the subject was being newly examined as part of the junior certificate and the interest indicated generally by teachers and schools for some further support, the period was extended to four years as an exceptional matter.

To date, the support service has provided an extensive programme of high quality inservice and other support in a variety of ways for the teachers concerned, involving the application of substantial personnel and financial resources. The considerable expertise developed by a large number of teachers through their involvement in providing this programme will facilitate greatly the provision of further courses on an ongoing basis.

Teachers and schools will continue to be supported in a number of ways: a civic, social and political education teachers association was set up some time ago and my Department will be in consultation with that association concerning a programme of ongoing support for the teachers concerned to meet identified needs. The education centre network will be encouraged to respond in every way possible to demands for training from CSPE teachers and schools. In addition my Department will respond positively to proposals from schools and other providers for training courses in this area.

Funding has been provided for postgraduate CSPE courses for teachers in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and in University College Cork. This funding will continue to be provided to meet future demand for these courses.

Education departments in the universities have been developing and delivering CSPE as an elective in their higher diploma programmes with the assistance of the CSPE support services, and it is expected that they will further develop this area.

CSPE is part of the core curriculum in the junior cycle. The possibility of offering an equivalent discipline in senior cycle is currently under consideration by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, as part of its review of the senior cycle. The council will report on the outcome of its deliberations to me in due course. In the meantime, it is expected that the ethos and skill developed in the CSPE programme at junior cycle level will permeate the life of schools as a whole.

On the question of evaluation, there was an in-built evaluation element in the inservice programme provided and the feedback was extremely positive. Following the first examination in CSPE in the junior certificate 1999, a comprehensive chief examiner's report was issued. This contains information and advice for teachers and students of CSPE. In addition, plans for the implementation of a programme of whole school evaluation on a nationwide basis are being finalised. As part of WSE, various aspects of the schools' work, including curricular provision, will be evaluated. This will include the provision of CSPE.

I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure the success of this important subject in schools and I will be keeping all aspects of its implementation under review.