Billy Timmins
Ceist:653 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science if the review group examining the primary curriculum has completed its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8413/99]
Written Answers. - Primary Curriculum.
The revision of the primary curriculum under the aegis of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has almost been completed. The revised curriculum will shortly be presented to me for ratification. It is my intention that the documentation will be circulated to schools early in September and that the implementation will begin during 1999-2000. The implementation will be supported by an ongoing programme of in-career development for teachers. I recently established the primary curriculum support programme, which will have responsibility for the organisation and delivery of this programme of in-career development. In this regard, I also advertised for an assistant co-ordinator and for teacher-trainers with expertise in either English or Irish. Schools will be free to implement whatever aspects of the revised curriculum they see fit, taking account of the expertise and interests of their staff and the learning needs of their pupils.