Vol. 525 No. 5
389 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that curriculum initiatives that seek to promulgate value judgments about society and human relationships, such as the exploring masculinity programme, are placed before a committee of the Dáil, such as the Joint Committee on Education and Science, before being put into effect. [25739/00]
The exploring masculinity programme, a programme of personal and social development for transition year and senior cycle young men, is one of a number of support programmes for teachers in this area of the curriculum. It was developed over a five year period by teachers working with officials from my Department.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has a statutory function under the Education Act, 1998, to advise me on all aspects of the curriculum and, accordingly, I have asked the council to undertake a review of the programme, including the views of teachers, parents and young persons participating in the programme. I have indicated that, in undertaking this review, the council should have regard to best practice in this and other countries, to the implications of current relevant policy and legislation in this area and the issues raised in the current public debate.
I would welcome a discussion of this and any other newly developed or revised curricular programme by the Joint Committee on Education and Science, once the process of development and review has been completed.
