Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the reply. No doubt there is much alarm and disquiet among those who teach history, among those in the History Teachers Association of Ireland, among people who teach history at third level, like Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, and people within the history industry such as Catriona Crowe from the National Archives of Ireland, at the way in which they see history being downgraded under these proposals.

We all believe that history should be taught as a full subject over a substantial period and in a chronological framework and that it should be seen as part of the core curriculum. What the Minister is suggesting as part of the new proposed junior certificate is the same as the way in which history is taught in transition year in a modular way. The Minister stated that each student will value local, national and international heritage. That is part of what happens in transition year. For example, a particular person, a particular event or a particular organisation might be examined. My school has studied the role of women in 1913 and in 1916 in particular.

The History Teachers Association of Ireland met the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. A very involved, frank and open discussion took place. Did the officials report back to the Minister? Is the Minster in a position to take on board what was discussed at that meeting?

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