Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 541: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason immersion education (details supplied) was not included when the present primary schools curriculum was being developed. [30333/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The primary school curriculum 1999 was developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, whose function is to advise the Minister for Education and Science on curriculum review and assessment. It is an integrated, child-centred curriculum which aims to meet the needs of all children in all schools. The NCCA's work was assisted by committees, representing all the principal partners and interests in primary education, in each of the curriculum areas. The curricula for Gaeilge and English were developed by committees whose members represented a wide range of expertise, thus ensuring that the work was informed by prevailing educational thinking and the most innovative and effective pedagogical practice.

The primary school curriculum 1999 offers a clear and structured national framework that provides for a broad and balanced education for all pupils. It recognises that each school is a unique organisation, with a distinctive character, tradition and culture and a particular set of values and priorities. Notwithstanding this, it is built on the right of all children, from the beginning of schooling, to experience language learning in both English and Gaeilge, our two official languages.

Within the curriculum for Irish, cognisance is taken of the particular requirements of Gaeltacht schools and scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. This involves the provision of additional material for schools where Irish is the first language, that is, the medium of instruction and communication. Schools with different needs with regard to the Irish language are therefore facilitated within the framework. There is one curriculum for English for all schools. This defines the broad objectives to be achieved and outlines the content for each of the four levels: infant classes, first and second classes, third and fourth classes, and fifth and sixth classes. The curriculum provides suggested minimum weekly times for instruction in each curriculum area to afford schools flexibility in their planning. However, the achievement of the curriculum objectives in every curriculum area at each of the four levels of primary schooling is an over-riding requirement of all schools.

Within the framework of the curriculum as outlined, my Department fully recognises the value of immersion education and is committed to providing a range of supports for the increasing number of schools that are offering education through the medium of Irish.