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School Curriculum

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021

Thursday, 13 May 2021

Ceisteanna (336)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

336. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the texts and films on the NCCA on the prescribed list for the English curriculum in secondary schools here contain explicit graphic sexual content including sex between older adults and minors, bestiality and violence including torture and they focus on death in a macabre gratuitous way; her views on whether it would be appropriate to remove these texts from the curriculum in view of the fact that several items on the list have been previously banned from the curriculum in the UK and the USA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25481/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The curriculum is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my Department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage.

At post-primary level, there are a number of prescribed texts for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate English.

The decision on which particular text to use rests with the school itself. They can choose whichever text best suits the context of their teaching and their students.

At national level a variety of factors influence the selection of prescribed texts including the merit of the text on grounds of excellence, the aspiration to achieve social and cultural diversity and inclusivity, the age appropriateness of texts, as well as practical factors, such as availability and cost. As prescribed lists are developed from year to year, additional factors come to the fore and influence the choices made. In addition, newly published authors are considered for inclusion. Contemporary issues and world events also impact on prescription.

The prescribed text list working groups for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate English is informed and guided by Criteria for the Selection of Texts which aims to achieve a balance between classic and contemporary texts; Irish and non-Irish authorship; seeks gender balance in authorship and representation; embraces diversity and inclusion; accessibility of texts; general suitability and comparative potential.

The text list working groups are convened by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Education Officer for the subject in question. Participation in the group is on a voluntary basis. In general, the group comprises teachers, third level lecturers, staff from relevant support services/support agencies and experts in children’s and young adult literature. The rationale for the approach taken towards the generation of text lists is that it is a highly deliberative and time-intensive process.

Achieving a balanced list of texts remains a challenging and worthwhile endeavour and work continues to create a broadly balanced, diverse and inclusive list every year. For example, the most recently published list of prescribed texts for Junior Cycle English is current for the student cohorts 2018-21, 2019-22 and 2020–23. This list will be reviewed in the coming months and made available to schools for the 2021-24 cohort. In a similar way, the text list for Leaving Certificate English will be reviewed for the cohort of students who will study for the Leaving Certificate examination in 2024.

The NCCA regularly receives recommendations and advice about texts for consideration and inclusion in courses. Parents, teachers, and students can make suggestions through an online facility which can be accessed on the NCCA website: All submissions are considered by the relevant text list group as they review and update the selection of texts for subsequent groups of students.

In addition, the NCCA is currently undertaking research on international best practice with regard to text selection and this will inform the ongoing review of the NCCA’s selection of texts.

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