Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Education Curricula.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

130 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the education curricula are capable of changing at the pace required by changes in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am very conscious of the need for regular review and updating of the content and methodologies outlined in school curricula so that young people have opportunities to acquire and develop a broad range of knowledge, skills and attitudes to equip them for adult life in a rapidly changing social and economic environment. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, is responsible for the review of curricula and the provision of advice to me on all matters pertaining to curriculum and assessment. The council's structures ensure that consideration of curriculum matters is informed by best educational practice and takes cognisance of the views of educationalists, teachers and parents as well as representatives from business, trades unions, universities and other interests. The Government has recognised the importance of the role played by the council and, in the Education Act 1998, has placed the council on a statutory basis.

Significant curricular reform has been undertaken by the NCCA and implemented by my Department in recent years. A revised primary school curriculum was issued to all primary schools in September 1999. The content of the curriculum has been extended and it is firmly grounded in the needs of a changing society. While core areas such as literacy and numeracy continue to be stressed, important skills and attitudes that equip children to be effective in a changing world receive due emphasis. At every stage of the revised primary curriculum, the emphasis is on group and teamwork, on the personal engagement of the child with his or her learning, and on problem solving. These are all qualities much sought after by employers and are applicable in all aspects of young people's lives.

Such changes in emphasis have also informed revisions of the post-primary syllabi. The transition year programme helps pupils to attain a level of personal maturity and to acquire personally appropriate learning skills that will serve them through senior cycle and in the workplace. The leaving certificate vocational programme and the leaving certificate applied aim to give students a controlled introduction to the workplace, and to equip them with the skills they will need when they enter the world of work permanently. These programmes help to develop the flexibility required of workers in today's society. All of these programmes also help to ensure that students develop a broadly-based range of competencies in areas of language, mathematics, sciences and arts as well as personal and social skills. Specific attention has been paid to the development of personal and social skills through the development of social, personal and health education and civic, social and political Education. These initiatives have been designed to foster skills and attitudes such as a spirit of citizenship, respect for others, healthy self-esteem and interpersonal skills. These skills enable young people to live fully in the increasingly multi-cultural environment that characterises Irish society and equip them to withstand undesirable peer pressure. Curricular reform has also helped to address issues such as early school leaving. The junior certificate school programme is designed to encourage students to remain in school so that they have opportunities to acquire some qualifications and training – attributes that are essential requirements for employment in present-day society.

Considerable curricular reform has been achieved in recent years and curricula are being adapted as necessary. The focus of the work of the NCCA is changing gradually from large-scale review to a smaller-scale rolling review that aims to be responsive to societal change. This will ensure that the need for changes in curricula may be identified and responded to even more speedily than heretofore.