Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her views on the concerns of an association (details supplied) regarding the leaving certificate syllabus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12504/22]
View answerA new subject specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science was introduced to schools in 2019 and was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Members of the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers Association (IASTA) were represented on the NCCA’s Subject Development Group set up to develop the new specification.
Officials from my Department and from the NCCA met with IASTA in early 2021 where some concerns of IASTA regarding aspects of the new specification were discussed. Following this meeting, IASTA later attended a meeting of an 'Agricultural Science in Practice Group' which was convened by the NCCA.
The purpose of the 'Agricultural Science in Practice Group' is to act as a forum that can be used to generate and collate early insights and authentic examples from practice of Agricultural Science as it is enacted in classrooms, and to publish these in an NCCA document.
A further meeting of the group took place last month, on 9 February. This meeting was due to take place earlier but this was not possible for reasons related to Covid-19.
A variety of areas were discussed at the most recent meeting. These included the adoption of non-linear teaching approaches, using the eight cross-cutting themes in the specification to bring together learning outcomes and specified practical activities, and building on the investigative and report writing skills that students are now bringing with them from the new Junior Cycle Science specification.
The NCCA have acknowledged the professionalism and commitment of the teachers who have shared their practice in the group. The group is due to meet again in May.
I would also like to advise the Deputy that the State Examinations Commission (SEC) published an Information Note in relation to the completion of the Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science Individual Investigative Study 2022. In light of the ongoing Covid-19 related circumstances for the 2022 cohort of candidates, the SEC introduced Additional Flexibilities to the arrangements for the completion of the Study. The study accounts for 25% of the total marks for the subject. In addition, further adjustments to the Agricultural Science examination papers published by the SEC last month provide increased choice to candidates through the inclusion of additional questions, and a reduced number of questions which candidates are required to complete.
