Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the reason the members of three subject development groups (details supplied) were not made aware of a number of submissions made to the NCCA; if she will instruct the NCCA to make this information available to the members of the subject development groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22971/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of subject development groups (SDGs), which develop new and updated curricula, is a matter for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The SDGs operate under longstanding processes that have been approved by the NCCA’s Council, a representative structure which comprises nominees of the partners in education, industry and trade union interests, parents’ organisations and one nominee each of the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
As the Deputy is aware, extensive consultations on the draft Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications were carried out by the NCCA between December 2023 and February 2024.
In addition to online surveys and submissions which were open to individuals and organisations, the consultations involved in-depth engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across the country, as well as school-based focus groups involving teachers, students and school leaders.
My Department has been advised by the NCCA that a total of 53 submissions (47 online submissions and 6 written submissions) were received, of which 32 were from individuals and 21 from organisations. These submissions consisted of:
• 5 written submissions which related to all three subjects were received from organisations.
• Specific to Chemistry, 18 online and written submissions were received, consisting of 10 online and 1 written submission from individuals, and 7 online submissions from organisations.
• Specific to Physics, 11 online submissions were received from 7 from individuals and 4 organisations)
• Specific to Biology, 19 online submissions were received from 14 individuals and 5 organisations.
A full consultation report is typically submitted to the NCCA Council along with the final draft of each subject specification.
Following the conclusion of the consultations on the three draft Leaving Certificate science curricula, members of the SDGs received an overview of the feedback received in the form of a presentation to each SDG, which I understand has informed detailed edits to each draft specification. These presentations included detail on themes emerging in the contributions received, such as instances where extra clarity might be desired across each specification and helpful suggestions to achieve this, as well as feedback on the implementation and practicality of experimental investigations and additional assessment components (AACs) which amount to 40% of the available marks in each subject.
As I have mentioned, the three SDGs have been working to update and finalise the draft curricula in each subject taking the feedback received into account. I understand that this work is now at an advanced stage, and that the updated drafts are expected to be submitted to the Council in the near future.
