Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2018
220. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the list of schools that will implement politics and society at leaving certificate level in 2020 will be announced; if new applications will be accepted; and if new schools have been admitted to provide the subject since it was first commenced in September 2017. [27917/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new specification for Leaving Certificate Politics and Society was introduced in September 2016 to a selected Phase 1 cohort of 41 schools who were selected from almost 120, following an open invitation to introduce this as an optional Leaving Certificate subject. The first examination in Leaving Certificate Politics and Society took place on 20 June, 2018.
The introduction of the specification was part of the Department of Education and Skills commemoration of 1916 and its commitment to education for sustainable development.
Phase 2 (availability to all interested schools) has commenced with all schools having been asked to express their interest in providing Politics and Society as an option for their students from September 2018. The decision to offer optional subjects rests with individual schools. Over 55 schools are availing of Continuous Professional Development from the Professional Development Service for Teachers to assist in the implementation of Politics and Society in their schools from this September. This brings the total number of schools providing Politics and Society for Leaving Certificate to nearly 100.
