Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Question No. 133 of 9 March 2005 when the evaluation of Irish, English and mathematics will be published; when the National Council for Curriculum Assessment review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7321/06]

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

As I indicated in my answer to Question No. 133, the inspectorate of my Department conducted two evaluations involving Irish during the 2004-2005 school year. At primary level, an evaluation of teaching and learning in Irish, along with English or mathematics, took place in 40 schools during the period from January to June 2005. Data from this evaluation are currently being analysed by the evaluation support and research unit of the inspectorate and a report is expected to be published towards the end of 2006.

At post-primary level, the teaching and learning of Irish in the junior cycle of 75 schools was evaluated between September 2004 and June 2005 and a report has been issued to each of the schools involved. A composite report is currently being prepared on the findings of this evaluation. It is planned that this also will be published towards the end of 2006.

Regarding the NCCA's review of languages in post-primary education, a report on the first phase of the review was published in April 2005 and it is available on the NCCA's website at www.ncca.ie. As part of the second phase of its review, the NCCA is currently preparing a discussion paper on curriculum provision in Irish which will be the subject of consultation in the autumn. This paper will explore, in particular, issues around the development of an Irish syllabus at junior and senior cycle for native speakers of Irish.