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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Schools Textbooks.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

1123 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the action he intends to take regarding the use of a publication (details supplied) in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): I referred the textbook and the concerns about one poem to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment – NCCA – the statutory body with responsibility for curriculum and assessment in schools. I asked the NCCA to establish whether the textbook conforms to the NCCA guidelines for publishers. The advice to me from the NCCA is that the poem in question, and the approach suggested for teaching it, do not conflict with the objectives of the English curriculum. The NCCA noted, however, that from the range of poetry suitable for use in primary schools that is available to publishers, there are many examples of considerably higher quality than this poem. I concur with this view.
My Department does not recommend specific textbooks for use on schools. 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 these books and other materials to support the implementation of the curriculum is a matter for school authorities and teachers. The withdrawal of such material is also a matter for school authorities rather than my Department.
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