Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
294. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the existing anti-racist educational programmes targeting school children will be introduced to all educators, possibly through the reformed Junior Certificate syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3752/13]
View answerThe Framework for Junior Certificate, published in October 2012, is underpinned by the 8 principles, 8 key skills and 24 Statements of Learning. Taking these on board, each school will have the flexibility to develop their junior cycle programme to meet the needs of their students. One of the 8 principles in the Framework is "Inclusive Education". This will require that "The educational experience is inclusive of all students and contributes to equality of opportunity, participation and outcomes for all". A number of the Statements of Learning are relevant to anti-racism and these will focus on what students should know, understand, value and be able to do at the end of junior cycle, having fully engaged with and participated in the junior cycle programme of their school.
Through the Statements of Learning the student will "appreciate and respect how diverse values, beliefs and traditions have contributed to the communities and culture in which she/he lives"; and will "value what it means to be an active citizen, with rights and responsibilities in local and wider contexts". The new Framework will, therefore, give schools and their students the opportunity to, inter alia, incorporate anti-racism into their programmes.
