Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2018
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school curriculum in all its phases is sufficiently focused on meeting the needs of academia and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49818/18]
View answerIn order to meet the progressive and diverse needs of academia and industry, the curriculum must evolve to successfully equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges ahead.
The Action Plan for Education 2018 sets out specific, measurable actions that are currently underway, such as:
- actions to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at primary and post primary levels.
- the new Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject, which was introduced in September 2018.
- the development of a new Primary Mathematics curriculum, which will support all the development of algorithmic and computational thinking, which form the basis of coding.
- the implementation of a Digital Strategy in schools to enrich the teaching, learning and assessment environment.
In addition to these actions, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently reviewing and redeveloping the primary curriculum. As part of this work, the NCCA is engaging widely with stakeholders in education and other interested individuals and groups. This includes working directly with schools from across the country on their priorities and needs for a redeveloped primary curriculum. Another strand of work involves drawing on an extensive body of research published in a series of short papers at https://www.ncca.ie/en/primary/primary-developments/curriculum-review-and-redevelopment .
Building on all of this and informed by the findings from the 2017 consultation on primary curriculum structure and time, the NCCA will publish a draft overview of a redeveloped primary curriculum in autumn 2019. This draft will be the basis for an extensive consultation which will determine the overall shape and direction of a redeveloped curriculum.
At post primary, implementation of the new Junior Cycle Framework is proceeding. Implementation commenced in September 2014 with the introduction of English, for first year students. Subjects are being introduced on a phased basis up to 2019 and are being supported by a comprehensive CPD programme for teachers. Science and Business Studies were introduced in September 2016, while Irish, Modern Languages and Visual Arts were introduced in September 2017, together with the new Wellbeing area of learning. In September 2018, the new specifications for Mathematics, Home Economics, History, Music and Geography were introduced.
The first batch of Junior Cycle Profiles of Achievement (JCPAs) was issued by schools late last year to students who sat their Junior Cycle examinations in 2017. This marked an important milestone in the process. 2018 JCPAs are due to issue in the coming weeks.
At Senior cycle, a review has recently been commenced by the NCCA. A key theme of the Senior Cycle Review will be the future form and reform of the existing senior cycle programmes – the LCA, the LCVP and Transition Year.
Senior Cycle review will encompass, among other themes:
- the question of the overall identity and purposes of senior cycle education
- how to establish continuity and progression with the new junior cycle
- the range of learning programmes and learning pathways available to students at senior cycle
- how to improve flexibility and choice for students
- the alignment of key skills with the needs of students, and
- the appropriate arrangements for assessment, reporting and certification in senior cycle.
A representative sample of 41 schools is directly involved in the initial consultation cycles of the review, which features two cycles of thematic discussions about senior cycle education with the collaborating schools. Each cycle concludes with a national seminar involving representatives from the collaborating schools and the education partners. The first of the consultation cycles focused on the purpose of senior cycle and futures thinking, with the second consultation cycle focusing on pathways and flexibility.
A summary report of the main findings of each cycle will be produced and published after each national seminar. Final advisory report is due to be completed in June 2019.
