Louis J. Belton
Ceist:30 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce the subject technology in all post primary schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Post-Primary Curriculum.
Frank Crowley
Ceist:39 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce the subject technology in all post-primary schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:61 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to amalgamate the vocational subjects of metalwork and woodwork, for examination purposes, at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Ceist:67 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce the subject technology in all post-primary schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Joseph Doyle
Ceist:76 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Education if he will introduce the subject technology in all post-primary schools in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:91 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education if he will outline his proposals for technological education in the post primary curriculum; if it is his intention to amalgamate the four technical subjects under a single syllabus for the junior certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 39, 61, 67, 76 and 91 together.
In July 1989, all second level schools were informed of the intention to introduce a new technology programme on a phased basis in a selected number of schools in the 1989-90 school year, and to extend the option progressively in subsequent years to other schools. It was to be a developmental programme which would be amended or refined in the light of experience. The number of schools at present approved by the Department to include technology in their programme is 148.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment were requested to examine the position of the subjects materials technology — wood, technical graphics and metalwork particularly in their relation to the subject technology in the junior cycle.
A position paper on this topic has been prepared for consideration by the council. The paper, which has not been formally submitted to me, deals also with the provision which might be made for technological education at senior cycle.
I understand that the council have not yet considered the paper in any depth and I am awaiting the considered views of the council in the matter before coming to any definitive conclusions.