Clare Daly
Question:199. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the demotion of geography as a core junior certificate subject; and if the decision will be reversed. [10661/19]
View answerTuesday, 5 March 2019
Questions (199, 200)
Clare Daly
Question:200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the demotion of geography as a core junior certificate subject at a time when climate change is accelerating and posing an ever increasing threat to the future of human life on the planet could undermine efforts to curb global warming in addition to efforts to mitigate climate change here. [10662/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.
The Department has every confidence that, through the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle the place of Geography will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum. As part of the rollout of the new Framework for Junior Cycle, Geography was one of five new subject specifications that were introduced to schools in September 2018.
The new Framework for Junior Cycle gives students the opportunity to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills – to equip them for further learning, for work, for responsible and active citizenship, and for healthy living. It gives students better learning opportunities, and rewards and recognises non-academic performance and achievements, with a central focus on the student’s quality of life, well-being and mental health.
Prior to the introduction of the new Framework for Junior Cycle the status of Geography in junior cycle varied by school type. Geography was only a core subject in voluntary secondary schools (52% of schools).
The new Framework for Junior Cycle, currently being rolled out, focusses on active and collaborative learning. It gives greater flexibility and autonomy to schools in terms of subject selection, and new short courses, to tailor a student’s learning to achieve better outcomes for that student. Students are able to study up to 10 subjects for certification through the new Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.
It is important to note that currently some 92% of students across all schools choose to study Geography at Junior Cycle, although it is not compulsory in all schools.
This is a clear indication that in respect of subjects like geography, schools make curricular decisions in the absence of directives and we expect this to continue.
We have a dedicated cohort of geography teachers in our post-primary schools, who will be promoting the inclusion of their subject within programmes provided to students by their schools. There is every reason to be confident that through the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015 the curricular significance of Geography will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum.
The direction of Junior Cycle reform is consistent with practice in other high-performing education systems such as New Zealand, Queensland, Estonia and Finland, where schools have been given greater autonomy and flexibility in developing the programmes they offer.
I hope you find this information useful.