Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
745. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will abandon the proposed changes to the leaving certificate Irish curriculum considering that it would discriminate against students who attend Irish language medium education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63566/21]
View answerConsultation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) on new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish has recently closed. The current development of draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish is part of the ongoing cycle of curriculum review and redevelopment.
The NCCA has developed draft L1 and L2 curriculum specifications for Leaving Certificate Irish. The L1 specification is aimed at students in Irish medium schools including native speakers and the L2 specification is aimed at students in English medium schools where Irish is taught as a second language. Schools participating in the Gaeltacht recognition scheme will be required to provide at least the L1 specification and English medium schools will have the option of providing the L1 and/or the L2 depending on the needs of students.
The model of curricular provision provided for in the draft specifications reflects the provision made for Irish in Irish-medium (L1) and in English-medium (L2) schools at primary and junior cycle levels, and provides learners with continuity in their Irish language learning experience, addressing their language learning needs as they progress along their Irish language learning journey in specific settings.
In response to concerns raised and requests made by some education stakeholders the NCCA extended the timeframe for the consultation on the Leaving Certificate Irish specifications from the end of August 2021 to 30 November 2021 in order to facilitate greater stakeholder engagement in the process. This extension of the closing date has also allowed the NCCA to commence an early enactment review of the Junior Cycle Irish L1 and L2 specifications.
Following the consultation closing date for the draft Leaving Certificate specifications the NCCA commences analysis and consideration of the feedback recorded during the process. It is important to note that the published specification documents are draft and subject to change in the light of the outcomes of this consultation process. The finalised specifications will then be considered by the NCCA Council and if approved, submitted to my Department for consideration, approval and implementation.
