Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004
88 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if technology can be included in the leaving certificate syllabus to facilitate a person (details supplied) who proposes to pursue a career in the sciences, expects to be able to do so in the junior certificate, but has been informed that her needs cannot be accommodated in the leaving certificate syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10411/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no follow-on subject in the senior cycle curriculum for the subject, technology, which is currently available to junior cycle students in some schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, has devised a syllabus for a subject at leaving certificate level which will act as a direct follow-on for technology at junior cycle level, and this is being examined in my Department. No decision has been made at this stage on implementation in schools.
In the school concerned in this case, the three science subjects, physics, chemistry and biology, are available to the senior cycle students in the current academic year. A computer studies course is also available. Therefore, any student wishing to pursue a career in the sciences is well provided for by the school in terms of subjects that will give the breadth and depth that will act as an appropriate basis for study in this area at third level.
My advice to the student concerned is that she should consult the guidance counsellor and other relevant teachers in her school, regarding her career aspirations and, in particular, her choice of subjects for senior cycle. There is also a range of educational and awareness initiatives currently operating in the science-engineering careers area, which are supported by my Department, and which students, parents and teachers can contact for advice and information with regard to careers in the fields of engineering and science. These include the Institution of Engineers of Ireland and the science, technology and engineering programme for schools, STEPS.
