Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Education Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Ceisteanna (392)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

392. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education her plans to make the transition from primary education to post-primary education easier (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5982/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While parents will very naturally be concerned for their sixth class children in the transition to post-primary education in 2021 and, in particular, their concern for the impact that the Covid-19 school closures may have had on their children’s learning, there are no plans to have pupils repeat 6th class. It is important that pupils/students move on with their peers and continue to the next stage of their education. 

There has been much learning across the system in the 2019/202 school year in relation to transitions and my Department is confident that the education system will use this knowledge to respond carefully to the needs of these children so that they can transfer successfully to age-appropriate, post-primary education in September 2021.

For example, primary schools will prepare children for transition to post-primary education.  Primary teachers are working hard to prevent and address gaps in the learning of sixth class pupils. This is currently happening remotely and will be a priority also for teachers when the children return to the classroom. Focussing on children’s well-being and resilience will also be priorities for teachers as they help their sixth class pupils prepare for the move to post-primary education.

Post-primary schools will also be keenly aware of the nature of the school experience of the children in 2020-21. Post-primary teachers will be in a position to respond with agility to the needs of the incoming first year students in 2021 and to set realistic, differentiated expectations for their learning.

The successful transfer of sixth class children to post-primary education in 2021 will require ongoing, collaboration and careful planning between primary schools and post-primary schools. This will happen at a local level through transition programmes involving meetings of the primary and post-primary teachers with the children and their parents as well as through the transfer of key information to the post-primary schools. The NEPS Continuum of Support and the Home School Liaison Officers in DEIS schools can also be utilised to support the transition of pupils. 

Communication between the primary and post primary schools and with the parents and children is of utmost importance in order to ensure progression is as seamless as possible. Sharing information about children’s learning is a key way of supporting their transition from primary post-primary school. This information transfer:

- provides a rounded picture of children’s progress and achievement at primary school

- ensures continuity and progression for learners

- alerts post-primary schools if additional support is needed to support is needed to support learning.

Primary schools should use the Education Passport materials developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to support the transfer of information which also allows for the child and his/ her parents to contribute to the information supplied.

The Education Passport materials include a:

- 6th Class Report Card

- My Profile sheet for children

- My Child’s Profile sheet for parent(s)/guardian(s)

This transfer of information will ease the transition experiences of pupils and support them as they make the transition to learning in the post-primary education environment in September 2021.

Barr
Roinn