Written Answers Nos. 178-182
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which her Department monitors the school curriculum at primary and secondary level, with a view to ensuring the highest possible standard of education, and a readiness for the modern labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22687/15]
View answerThe National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is the body charged with advising the Minister on curriculum and assessment matters related to early childhood, primary and post-primary education. The NCCA, as a statutory body, keeps the curriculum under review with a view to contributing to education standards generally, as well as to specific aspects of social, cultural and economic development. Through a combination of its ongoing deliberations on the curriculum at all levels and its actions on foot of Ministerial policy priorities, the NCCA plays a key role in this area.
Recent work has focused on STEM which is a national policy priority (with reviews of mathematics and science curricula). One of the aims of the overall Junior Cycle reform is to ensure that subjects at this level are fit for purpose. In addition, at junior cycle, the emphasis in the reformed junior cycle will be on the development of key skills that students will use not only in school but also throughout their lives. Such skills include communicating, working with others and being creative - all skills required in our modern labour market. Similar skills are already promoted at senior cycle, including within the Transition Year programme.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which class sizes throughout County Kildare compare with class size averages throughout the country; the extent to which she expects to take any corrective steps in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22689/15]
View answerThe Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools at primary and post-primary level. The most recent published information relates to the 2013/2014 school year. Data in relation to the 2014/15 school year will be published later in the current school year. The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. It currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level.
My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
