Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
270. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to the inclusion of a farm safety section in the agricultural science curriculum at secondary school level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27224/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current LC Agricultural Science curriculum was introduced in schools in September 2019 following a curriculum development process undertaken by the NCCA. This process involved a subject development group comprising representatives with suitable expertise, nominated by their respective stakeholder organisations, to deliberate and make decisions about what young people should learn in school. The work of this specialist group was monitored and discussed regularly by the Boards and Council of the NCCA to ensure that young people in Ireland receive an appropriate and relevant education. In addition, there were several opportunities during the process where the work of the development group was informed by public consultation.
Farm safety is an integral part of the curriculum specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science that was developed through the rigorous process outlined above. One of the overall aims of the curriculum is that students “develop their scientific knowledge and skills, in the context of agricultural practices, and increase their awareness of health and safety issues associated with these practices.”
Central to the over-arching strand of the curriculum, is the concept of working safely, and specific learning outcomes are dedicated to safe working practices in agriculture. The prominence of farm safety in the over-arching strand anticipates student engagement with farm safety as part of their ongoing learning in the agricultural science course. Moreover, farm safety learning is explicitly referenced in a number of learning outcomes.
