Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

An incredible range of views has been put forward by the various witnesses appearing here from a wide range of sectors and it is very helpful to the work we do. I may not go into everybody's individual contribution, but there are a number of common threads. One is that we must emphasise skills-based rather than knowledge-based learning. Do the witnesses have views on the fact that the acquisition of knowledge is also important in itself? Are we at times losing sight of this and putting too much emphasis on the acquisition of skills? I know that we can all get to access to knowledge ourselves and that we can get the skills to access that knowledge. Is it important still that a bedrock of knowledge is imparted to our children, despite all the talk of skills and showing people how to make their way in the modern world? I would be interested to hear contrarian views on this.

I would like to ask Mr. O'Rourke some questions about the Teaching Council. What impact is the current teacher shortage having on the curricula and on the leaving certificate? I am hearing, for example, that it is actually becoming very difficult to keep Irish as a compulsory subject due to a severe lack of teachers. Is there a problem there that will impact on the curriculum generally but particularly with regard to the leaving certificate? At present, we do not currently have a match between the requirements in certain subjects and the teachers we are educating. It seems quite random in that anyone with a degree can go on to do the teaching qualification without reference to any requirements that the State might have for a large number of science teachers or Irish teachers. What is happening is that there are too few teachers in some areas and too many in others. How is that affecting the curriculum and the leaving certificate at present?

I thank Ms Sorcha Ní Chonghaile for raising an exceptionally wide range of issues. The Chairman has already noted her point on repeat exams. She also mentioned broadband. Do any other witnesses, particularly those from the Department, have any comments to make on the impact of the lack of broadband? I know that there was a programme to give second level schools access to broadband, but is this a problem the Department sees at primary level? It is a major problem all around rural Ireland.

I agree with the points made about the teaching of philosophy and this is something that Uachtarán na hÉireann has also highlighted as very important. Philosophy is a compulsory subject in the European baccalaureate, but it is not on the Irish leaving certificate. Have any of the witnesses looked at the European baccalaureate? I would be interested to hear any views as to whether we should or should not be looking to it for inspiration or guidance as we undertake reform.

Issues have been raised in the media recently about the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. Without going into specific allegations, it has been suggested that there are difficulties in that organisation that are affecting its work and affecting curriculum development. I would like to check with the Chairman if I can ask questions about whether-----