Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 4

Written Answers. - Primary Curriculum Report.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

290 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education the arrangements she intends to put in place to implement the recommendations contained in the Report of the Review Body on the Primary Curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Following the presentation of the report to me I asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to undertake the task of disseminating the report as widely as possible and of seeking the views and observations of all interested parties on the report's recommendations. The views expressed by interested parties on the recommendations of the report are being analysed by the council and I expect to receive a report on the outcome of that analysis soon.

An examination of the report by my Department will be co-ordinated with the views submitted through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and co-related with consideration of the findings of the reports of the Primary Education Review Body and the OECD which are to be published shortly.

The results of the above process will be included in proposals by my Department for a comprehensive plan for the development of primary education.

The report on the curriculum identifies specific areas for action. On receiving the report I indicated my own commitment to use the report as a basis for action. I requested the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to co-ordinate the next stage of implementation.

The action points to be undertaken immediately are set out as follows:

—copies of the report together with summary bulletins to be widely disseminated: June to September 1990;

—a process of formal and informal consultation and discussion to be carried out through seminars and other activities, summer/autumn 1990;

—responses to the report should be submitted to the chief executive, NCCA, by mid-November 1990;

—responses of the teaching profession and of the public to the recommendations of the report to be summarised, November 1990.

This should lead to consultations with the major interests at primary level on the details of an implementation strategy. Such a strategy might include structures for the development of the curriculum and, also, an approach to the overall implementation of the recommendations of the report.