Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which any changes in the school curriculum are required or have been identified as necessary to facilitate work place requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38447/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the new Junior Cycle programme is currently being introduced to schools on a phased basis. As part of this change key skills are being built into every subject. These include skills such as communicating, working with other and managing information and thinking. Over the course of the three year Junior Cycle, every student should have the opportunity to "take initiative, be innovative and develop Entrepreneurial skills".
There are already measures in place to support students in gaining useful skills for the workplace. For example, in Transition Year as well as the opportunity for work placement, students can take part in enterprise units and in student enterprise competitions such as the Student Enterprise award and the mini company "Get up and Go" competition. The mini-company involves students in research, planning, establishing a business, perhaps experiencing some risks and some failures – before getting it right, marketing, making or providing a service/product, drafting accounts, writing a report and finally winding down the company.
Furthermore, in Senior Cycle students taking the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied are provided with specific opportunities to acquire enterprise skills. These programmes place a strong focus on active learning, community-based approaches, personal development and teamwork. Students also engage in work experience.
