Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
114. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provision that has been made for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to implement reform of the junior certificate curriculum. [10895/14]
View answerThe object of the NCCA, as set out in section 41 (1) (a) and (b) of the Education Act 1998, is to advise me on matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools, and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects that are part of the curriculum.
It is the Department's role to oversee the implementation of the reform of the Junior Cycle. My Department established an Education Partners Consultation Group in September 2012 to provide all the education stakeholders with a formal medium for assisting in the planning of the phased implementation of the Junior Cycle.
Bi-lateral meetings have been held between Union representatives and senior Department officials since Autumn of 2013.
I established a National Working Group on Junior Cycle Reform in January this year. The Working Group, with its three sub groups, provides a forum where the concerns of the partners are heard. Assessment, CPD and resources are the three key areas being addressed. Through currently ongoing dialogue, the concerns are being raised and will be addressed so as to enable the successful implementation of the Junior Cycle to proceed over the next number of years.
I have asked that a report be provided to me by mid-May on the findings of the National Working Group.
