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Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (908)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

908. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the assistance available to primary schools under the green agenda initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15246/21]

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Written answers

Dear Paul,

Thank you for your correspondence in relation to assistance available to primary schools under the Green Agenda initiative.

The Department of Education (DoE) published The National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Ireland 2014 – 2020, in 2014.  

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 under this strategy include:

-  The establishment of an ESD Advisory Group chaired by my Department

-  The establishment of links between ESD and Development Education (DE) and Global Citizenship Education

-  The establishment of an ESD hub on Scoilnet

-  The identification and gathering of relevant ESD related data

-  The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) carried out a study on opportunities for engagement with ESD in the Curriculum and has continued the integration of key ESD principles and new Curricula developments as and where appropriate. 

-  The inclusion of ESD content in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for Teachers

-  Increased provision of skills needed by the Green Economy by the Further Education Sector

-  Increased focus on ESD in calls for research at Higher Education Level

-  Inclusion of and consulting with young people on ESD issues

-  Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in the provision of programmes, advice, partnerships, assistance, workshops, training etc., to schools in the areas of sustainable development

- Sustainable Development principles are reflected where appropriate in relevant Departmental policy and strategy documents.

An ESD Advisory Group, established to oversee implementation of the ESD Strategy, comprises members from NCCA, D.Foreign Affairs/ Irish Aid, ECO UNESCO, IDEA, Green Schools, WorldWise Global Schools, the Environmental Pilar and many others.

A number of bodies and NGOs provide resources to both primary and post-primary schools in relation to ESD and Climate Action, some of which include:

-  The SEAI engage with schools in relation to energy, sustainability and climate change: www.seai.ie/teaching-sustainability/.

-  Green Schools engage with 97% of primary and post-primary schools in Ireland: https://greenschoolsireland.org/. For example, in the 2019 – 2020 academic year, 750 primary were awarded Green Flags.

-  An Taisce has developed specific climate change resources for primary schools.

-  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have a range of resources available for schools on Climate Change:  https://www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/education/educ/limitingadaptingtoclimatechange/climatechangeirelandanintroduction/.

-  Trócaire: https://www.trocaire.org/getinvolved/education.

-  World Wise Global Schools: https://www.worldwiseschools.ie/.

Scoilnet, as mentioned above, is the Department’s official portal for Irish Education and has a designated ESD space which includes links to numerous ESD teaching and learning resources: https://www.scoilnet.ie/search/?q=Education%20for%20sustainable%20development&fq=school_level%3A1.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)’s audit reviewed ESD opportunities and linkages in the primary and post-primary curriculum.  This report has been published, and can be found here: https://ncca.ie/media/3573/esdreport_final_june2018.pdf.

An interim review of the ESD Strategy sets out the achievements to date including the integration of ESD and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) themes and principals across the curriculum, into Initial Teacher Education and teacher CPD and into the assessment and inspection processes.  It  sets out the significant progress to date in this area.   A Final Report on the 2014 – 2020 strategy will be published before the end of 2021.   Further information on the ESD strategy is available on the Department’s website:

https://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/education-for-sustainable-development/.

The Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, is now committed to developing a follow on strategy for ESD to 2030 with the aim of supporting the achievement of the SDGs for 030 Agenda and in particular SDG target 4.7.  As part of this strategy development process, the Department will commence and undertake a phased stakeholder engagement and public consultation process this year.

Since the publication of the ESD Strategy, the Government, in recognition of the need to share in the international responsibility to address the increasingly global challenges we face, launched The Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2030, a Whole of Government initiative to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This is informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many complementary themes can be identified between the Government’s National Implementation Plan for SDGs and the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Strategy and Action Plan Q4 2018-Q4 2020 in, for instance, areas such as awareness raising and sustainability in action.

The UN’s 17 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.  The SDGs post-date the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development.  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 ESD Strategy aligns closely with this goal.  The DoE is committed to playing its part in delivering on the SDGs and are represented on the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) led Inter-Departmental Working Group which is overseeing delivery of the National Implementation Plan for the SDGs.

Ireland’s 1st Voluntary National Review to the UN on the SDGs in July 2018 indicates Ireland’s strong performance in relation to education and skills.  The report sets out a range of other work underway in the Education Sector on the wider SDG agenda particularly under SDG 4 – Quality Education including in the area delivering equality of opportunity in schools.

The CSO is currently publishing a series of reports on each of the SDG indicators including SDG4 – quality education: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-sdg4/irelandsunsdgs2019-reportonindicatorsforgoal4qualityeducation/tableofcontents/

The Department is also represented on the Senior Officials Group for the all of Government Climate Action Plan and has continued its engagement with the DECC in relation to the development of the next Plan and the contribution that we will make in a range of areas including School Buildings, School Transport and the Curriculum (ESD)

All public bodies, including schools, are prohibited from purchasing single-use plastics with effect as of April 1st, 2019.

In relation to school buildings, the Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in primary and post-primary school buildings since the development of its energy research programme in 1997.  Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings. A multi-annual energy research pilot project commenced in 2017 with SEAI for the energy upgrading of existing schools to establish opportunities and innovative delivery models, as well as a menu of best practice retrofit options.

I trust that the above will prove of assistance to you.

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