Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
629. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will consider establishing an EU at school initiative which would involve secondary school students in transition year being informed about the European Union and its structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16370/23]
View answerTransition Year is a valuable programme for students that offers opportunities for life skills, personal, social and academic development and experience of adult and working life. Transition Year programmes are designed at school level and based on a multi-layered approach.
Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In developing a programme schools are advised to take into consideration students’ needs, parents’ views, employers and the wider interests of the local community.
As part of my announcement in 2022 for a redeveloped Senior Cycle, a revised Transition Year programme statement is being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
I can also advise the Deputy that awareness of the European Union is currently raised through teaching and learning around citizenship at every level from Early Years to post primary.
Aistear, the curriculum for Early Years is based on twelve principles for early learning and development, one of which is Citizenship. It promotes the concept of citizenship and social justice with children and respects them as young citizens. The concept of Citizenship and Global Citizenship is integrated into the primary SPHE curriculum.
Aspects of a number of curricula at post-primary level reference the European Union. Examples include: Junior Cycle CSPE, Business Studies, Visual Art, and Leaving Certificate English, Agricultural Science, Geography and Politics and Society.
Central to the students’ experience of the Framework for Junior Cycle are 24 Statements of Learning, one of which states that students should ‘value what it means to be an active citizen, with rights and responsibilities in local and wider contexts’. Learning experiences associated with this Statement of Learning would result in students learning how government and politics work in Ireland and elsewhere, including Europe, enabling students to develop an understanding that as citizens we all have rights and responsibilities who can contribute to building a better world within their local communities and in the wider world.
The Leaving Certificate Politics and Society curriculum includes a strand on Power and Decision making at national and European level and another on Human Rights and Responsibilities in Europe and the wider world.
The Professional Development Support Services also help to raise awareness of the European Union through Continuous Professional Development (CPD), workshops and seminars provided to teachers in terms of the relevant curriculum areas. For example, teachers are supported in demonstrating an understanding of, and the links between: the EU, sovereignty, intergovernmentalism and supranationalism. The Support Services and teachers alike reference the European Union as a lens through which to examine a variety of the learning outcomes, topics and key concepts. Current and emerging topics such as Brexit, immigration, democratic representation, sustainability and the “othering” of parts of our community are all examined through the European Union. Scoilnet.ie, the Department’s portal for teachers and schools hosts many resources in relation to the European Union. Scoilnet also engages with the EU Commission office in Dublin to promote awareness of Ireland's engagement with the EU.
In addition to the raising of awareness through the curriculum and the supports provided to teachers, there are a number of programmes with which schools can engage with learning about the European Union.
The Blue Star programme, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Department of Education, allows primary school pupils to learn about our rich European heritage, diverse European cultures and languages, and the importance of the European Union today. The programme involves teachers and pupils carrying out projects and creative activities related to the History, Geography, Culture and Institutions of the EU
At post primary level, the European Parliament office in Ireland runs the European Parliament Ambassador school programme (Ambassador School Programme | Youth Outreach | European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland (europa.eu) which aims to raise awareness about European Parliamentary democracy and European citizenship values.
Finally, the "A Career for EU", Ireland's Strategy to increase Irish representation in the European Union's Institutions and Agencies was approved by the Government in May 2021, will also help raise awareness of the European Union. The existing EU Jobs campaign will be expanded, including increased promotion and outreach to second level students in Ireland, including native Irish speakers and those who speak another EU language in the home. It is expected that it will encourage EU career opportunities and promote the learning of European languages at second level in conjunction with the Department of Education’s Languages Connect Strategy through Post Primary Languages Ireland (www.ppli.ie).
