Vol. 545 No. 4
394 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received correspondence from persons (details supplied) regarding specific content in the primary school curriculum; his views on whether the content is appropriate; and if he will take the matter up with the NCCA. [30534/01]
I have received the correspondence from the persons to whom the Deputy refers. The correspondence refers to a poem in an activity book used by some schools to teach English, and not to the content of the curriculum itself.
The contents of textbooks and activity books are selected by the editors of such books, on behalf of the publishers. The selections made represent the personal preferences of the editor. When selecting material for textbooks, editors follow guidelines drawn up by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment – NCCA. My view is that editors should follow the specifications for textbooks provided by the NCCA, including the need to ensure the appropriateness of the selected material to the age and the developmental level of the pupils for whom the books are intended. Where parents or individuals consider that material in a textbook is unsuitable, they should bring the matter to the attention of the school authorities and to the publishers of the textbook.
I will bring the matter raised by the Deputy to the attention of the NCCA to determine whether their guidelines cover the issues raised by the Deputy.
