Mary Wallace
Ceist:136 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the efforts, if any, being made to educate children in respect of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14492/96]
Written Answers. - Disability Awareness Education.
The primary curriculum is designed to cater for the full and harmonious development of each child, and is sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of children of varying natural endowment and background.
In particular, the civics syllabus has been drafted so as to allow the greatest degree of flexibility to teachers in selecting suitable programmes. The aim of the syllabus is to develop acceptable social and moral attitudes which take into account the rights of other members of society. I am satisfied that there is sufficient scope within the existing primary curriculum to deal with this topic.
The Review Body on the Primary Curriculum recommends that the curriculum should develop a positive awareness of self and a sensitivity to others, and a respect for the rights, views and feelings of other people. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will have regard to these recommendations in advising me in relation to curricular development.