Vol. 448 No. 6
138 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, her Department has taken to promote positive attitudes to ageing and the elderly within the school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2537/95]
The promotion of tolerant attitudes to and the awareness of the special needs of all groups, including the ageing and the elderly, is a policy objective of the broad curriculum at primary and second level. The promotion of positive attitudes to the ageing and the elderly is explicitly covered in the civics programme of the primary school curriculum. The family, the school community, local community and the national community are developed within the civics programme from a perspective of fostering social attributes such as tolerance, co-operation with others, courtesy and care of the old and infirm. I am satisfied that, in line with the curriculum, primary teachers make every effort to instruct children on the development of responsible attitudes towards the ageing and the elderly.
Positive attitudes towards the ageing and the elderly are specifically promoted in the school curriculum at second level in a number of ways. The new junior cycle course entitled "Civic, Social and Political Education", which will form part of the core curriculum from 1996 provides opportunities for teachers and students to focus on ageing and the elderly. A module on "Preparation for Adult and Working Life" has been introduced as part of the transition year programme. Experience in the community care service concerned with the aged has been recommended as appropriate for this aspect of the programme. At leaving certificate level, the home economics social and scientific syllabus focuses on changing attitudes to the ageing and the elderly within the context of the broad family.
A pilot project, funded by the European Union, is being organised by the Curriculum Development Centre in Shannon in association with the Department of Social Welfare, to identify the significant role that retired/older people have to play in the education and training of young people.
