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School Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020

Tuesday, 23 June 2020

Questions (223)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

223. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding or supports in place to support environmental awareness initiatives in schools; his views on the expansion of pilot projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/20]

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Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that it is currently the policy of the Department of Education and Skills not to endorse any particular product, publication or programme.

The only requirement from the Department, on any resource used in a school, is that it covers the curriculum. Ultimately, the decision on which programme or resource, if any, most appropriately covers the curriculum, rests within the school itself.

Picker pals is an environmental action programme for primary school children, their families, schools, and communities. It is run by Voice. VOICE is funded through a variety of sources, including the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), Membership fees, Local Authorities through Local Authority 21 (LA21) grants, and donations. My Department has no involvement with VOICE or Picker Pals.

The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. Under SDG 4 – Quality Education, the target (4.7) aims to ensure that by 2030 “all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”.

The SDGs post-date the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 2014-2020. The aims of the ESD Strategy developed by my Department aligns closely with SDG target 4.7. My Department is committed to playing its part in delivering on the SDGs and are represented on the D/Communications Climate Action and Environment led Inter-Departmental Working Group which is overseeing delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020.

The ESD Strategy aims to ensure that education contributes to sustainable development by equipping learners with the relevant knowledge (the ‘what’), the key dispositions and skills (the ‘how’) and the values (the ‘why’) that will motivate and empower them throughout their lives to become informed active citizens who take action for a more sustainable future. It covers three key policy areas: environmental, socio-economic (including Gender Equity) and political. Key measures for my Department include:

- Integration of ESD principles where relevant into the curriculum at all levels from Early Childhood to Senior Cycle.

- Integration of ESD principles into Initial Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development programmes for teachers

- Integration of ESD principles into the assessment and inspection processes

- Integration of ESD principles into the school building programme

- Collaboration with stakeholders in relation to delivery of ESD and related programmes (Development Education, Global Citizenship Education and the SDGs)

Implementation of the ESD Strategy is overseen by an ESD Advisory Group, chaired by my Department and comprising a cross section of stakeholders including other Government Departments, Agencies and NGOs.

An interim review of the implementation of the ESD strategy was carried out in 2018 and a report on the review was launched in November 2018 at the 4th National ESD forum, hosted my Department.

The report ( https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Information/Education-for-Sustainable-Development/Education-for-Sustainable-Development.html ) sets out significant progress to date.

The Department has now commenced work on a follow on ESD strategy to 2030 and expects to undertake a public consultation process in this regard over the coming months.

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