Michael Creed
Ceist:120 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the reform of the curriculum content. [26250/00]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
The curriculum for primary schools was revised recently by the NCCA. Handbooks on the revised curriculum and teacher guidelines were circulated to all schools and teachers during the last school year. This revised curriculum is being implemented on a phased basis, is in the second year of implementation and is supported by an extensive professional programme for teachers.
At junior certificate level my Department, in conjunction with the NCCA, has been exploring alternate forms of assessment and new methods of reporting to parents on the progress of pupils during the junior cycle in consultation with the education partners. In addition the junior certificate school programme has been extended to more schools.
Subjects in the established leaving certificate programme are reviewed and revised by the NCCA on a phased basis. The leaving certificate applied programme has been revised in terms of structure, modular content and assessment. The transition year programme and the junior certificate school programme, as well as the three strands of the leaving certificate, are supported in school by comprehensive professional programmes for teachers.
I am pleased with both the rate and content of curriculum change at primary and second levels. My Department keeps the curriculum at both levels under continual review.