Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
412. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education her views on the new agricultural science syllabus now in place in secondary schools for the leaving certificate programme; if she considers it relevant, practical and of benefit to the learning outcomes of students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgricultural Science is a crucial element of the science curriculum at Leaving Cert level. The NCCA Subject Development group included IASTA. Integral to the specification development was the retention of the practical component, which is viewed as core to the subject.
The core strand underpinning the specification is “Scientific Practices”, and the completion of the Individual Investigative Study is supported by this strand. The importance of this strand is demonstrated through the current award weighting of 25% of the total mark to the candidates for their Individual Investigative Study. The remaining 75% is awarded for their terminal written examination.
The other 3 strands are broken into areas which are familiar to teachers: Soils, Crops and Animals, all of which were contained in the old curriculum. The format of the new agricultural science specification is based on learning outcomes rather than a list of content. Teachers are being supported in engaging with a specification in this format through the Support Services CPD programme. Aligning relevant content from the old curriculum to that of the new specification will aid some teachers in their understanding of the learning outcomes and in turn will enable them to identify where the various cross cutting themes would be applicable.
As such, I consider the new agricultural science syllabus in place in secondary schools for the leaving certificate programme to be relevant, practical and of benefit to the learning outcomes of students.
