Mr Gerard Hanlon:

The issue of numbers has been raised, those who take it to junior certificate level and then to leaving certificate level. Pardon the pun, history is involved here, it is the history of the system. For many years most voluntary secondary schools in Ireland were run by one religious denomination or other. As the voluntary secondary schools have to certain extent collapsed, meaning they have gone into amalgamation situations, the governance of those schools has changed but frequently tradition may have continued. The rules and regulations of the Department of Education and Skills require voluntary secondary schools to teach history. Those schools that still operate under the rule must offer history. That is the reason so many students study history at junior cycle. When one comes to senior cycle the range of subjects is much greater. Compared to when I completed the leaving certificate the range of subjects on offer is vastly inflated. One takes one's place in the marketplace.

There is a perception problem with history. History is seen as difficult and literate. We no longer live in a literate culture so it is viewed as difficult and there is a literacy element. The reason those who opt for it, having gone through the junior certificate examination, is because that interest has been fostered. Senator Marie Moloney mentioned that when she went to her vocational school, history or geography was not offered. That is already the situation in schools in Ireland at present. I know of one school, not far from where I teach, where history and geography are being offered as a choice in first year. As it is not a voluntary secondary school it does not have to offer history and geography. That is the position at present.

The voluntary secondary schools are collapsing, down to 52%. Five years ago the figure stood at perhaps 70% and ten years ago there may have been 80%. They had to offer history and geography. As they collapse and as they do not have to follow the rules and regulations of the Department of Education and Skills the syllabus is essentially open-ended. They are now offering history and geography. This framework document would allow that across the board. Why might history not be offered? We are all aware of the harsh economic climate. As a history teacher retires in a school there may not be a replacement.

Redeployment is an issue for many schools. The resources may not be available as principals juggle with timetables. That is part of our concern. We accept the bona fides of the Department but are concerned about the practical implications of this document as we move forward as opposed to speculation on what might happen.