Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:203 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the way in which schools may implement the sixth year cycle; and when this can be commenced in schools.
Written Answers. - Sixth Year Cycle Implementation.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, in its position paper on the senior cycle, proposed that students be given the option of choosing courses from both the leaving certificate and senior certificate programmes. The council also proposed that the transition year option would remain. In the context of an optional three-year senior cycle students have the following options at this level:
—a two-year leaving certificate course;
—transition year followed by two-year leaving certificate;
—a two-year senior certificate;
—transfer between programmes over a three-year period;
— transfer after two years to post leaving certificate courses.
I have already indicated my general acceptance of the council's recommendations. This matter will be addressed in the forthcoming Green Paper on Education and will, therefore, be the subject of further discussion and debate.
The option of a six-year cycle will be available to students who commenced their post-primary education this year and who will be starting their senior cycle programme in 1994-95.