Gay Mitchell
Question:356 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the interests of the elderly are reflected in a publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31495/01]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
Gay Mitchell
Question:378 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the use of a publication (details supplied) in the English course for primary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31505/01]
John Perry
Question:379 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised in relation to the anti-elderly sentiments contained in a series (details supplied) which are part of the national schools' syllabus for 12 year olds; his plans to remove this from the curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31506/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 378 and 379 together.
The issue referred to has been brought to my attention. The question of developing positive attitudes and values toward the elderly is addressed in the "Myself and Others" strand of the social, personal and health education, SPHE, curriculum for primary schools, where there is a particular focus on developing a sense of care and respect for the dignity of other people, including the elderly. Discrete time during the school day is allotted to the implementation of the SPHE curriculum, but the values that inform it should permeate all activities throughout the school day. This important principle would, therefore, apply to the content of textbooks and other materials that are used to teach other aspects of the curriculum.
Textbooks and activity books are not part of the prescribed curriculum for schools. However, schools frequently use textbooks to support the implementation of the curriculum. The selection of books and other materials to support the implementation of the curriculum is a matter for school authorities and teachers.
Editors of textbooks and activity books for use in primary schools select the content of such books. The material selected for inclusion in textbooks reflects the personal preferences of the editors. When selecting material for textbooks, editors are required to follow guidelines drawn up by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to ensure that the textbooks conform to the requirements of the curriculum. 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.
I have referred the issues raised by the Deputies to the NCCA to see if their guidelines for publishers address the concerns expressed. However, the parents themselves should bring the issues of concern to them directly to the publishers of the textbook and to the school authorities.