Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
400. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made to date in updating the junior certificate and leaving certificate cycles so that subjects such as politics and information technology will become part of both curricula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37992/12]
View answerThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment provided its advice to me on Junior Cycle Reform in late 2011. Since then, consideration has been ongoing in relation to the implementation of reform. Reform will be introduced on a phased basis. There will be a combination of curriculum components including subjects and short courses. Within their junior cycle experience, students will learn key skills and using ICT confidently across the curriculum is incorporated in the different skills areas. The introduction of short courses will allow schools the flexibility to offer courses in a wider range of areas, including politics and I.T., should they so wish.
Curriculum and assessment reform is well advanced in a number of senior cycle subject areas. It is not currently proposed to expand the range of subjects offered at senior cycle. In the current economic context, the priority is to progress and embed key reforms in Maths and the Physical Sciences. The curriculum in schools is devised on the basis that ICT is not a specific subject but rather a tool to be integrated into the teaching and learning of all subjects at both junior and senior cycle. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed an ICT framework which sets out a structured approach to ICT in curriculum and assessment. This sets out the types of learning appropriate for students during the period of compulsory education, and provides a guide to teachers for embedding ICT across the curriculum. Therefore, it is not time bound.
