Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Other Questions. - School Programmes.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

92 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will list the schools which have refused to offer civic, social and political studies as a junior certificate subject; the action he is taking to have the subject reinstated in these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/00]

As outlined in Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, civic, social and political education, CSPE, is part of the core curriculum for the junior cycle. The civic, social and political education syllabus states that the course should be allocated one class period per week, or equivalent, so as to allow for a course of approximately 70 hours over the three years of the junior cycle. In practice, this has been interpreted as allowing schools flexibility in how they allocate teaching time over the three years. One cannot conclude that where civic, social and political education is not included on a school timetable for a particular year, that school is failing to meet its obligations to provide the subject as part of its junior cycle programme.

All recognised post-primary schools operating a junior cycle programme indicated in the October returns for 1999-2000 that they were teaching CSPE. My Department checks returns from schools to ensure that all recognised junior pupils are studying civic, social and political education and, where this requirement appears not to have been met, the matter is followed up, as appropriate, with the school.

Candidates from the vast majority of post primary schools sat the junior certificate examination in civic, social and political education last June. It is important to remember that the obligation on schools in regard to civic, social and political education relates to the provision of that subject in junior cycle and that students are not obliged to sit the junior certificate examination, even though the vast majority of them did.

I am confused by the Minister's reply. If the subject is not on the timetable, how can a school provide it? I tabled this question following complaints I received from parents about schools where this course is not available. What recourse is there for parents when their children are not offered this subject in their schools?

In the first instance they should take it up with the school concerned. The Department's information is that the returns from all schools indicate they are all undertaking the course. They may be doing so in a different way. The first move would be to ask the principal and management of the school and if there is still a difficulty after that I would be prepared to look into the matter.

What input will the Department have into the curriculum for Dáil na nÓg, which was recently announced by the Minister of State with responsibility for children?

I am not aware of any specific involvement by my Department. Normally there is consultation between Departments at the level at which such an initiative is being undertaken. I have also taken an interest in this area because I am anxious that the entire political system should be understood by pupils in future.

Hear, hear.

I have asked the Secretary General of my Department to arrange the production of a video by the Institute of Public Administration which would explain the Constitution, the Parliament, the activities of its Members and the entire system. I have not been involved otherwise but I assume officials in my Department will be consulted.

Question No. 93 taken with Question No. 90.

Barr
Roinn