Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the overall policy framework to cover integration in schools of children of different nationalities, cultures, and languages; the projects being undertaken to bring children and teachers to a better understanding on different cultures; if a change of syllabus in terms of primary education is planned to bring children to a better understanding of geography, social and civic differences in order that they better understand each other; if a change of syllabus is planned to bring all children to a better understanding of Irish geography and history at an earlier age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25906/08]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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All primary and post-primary schools promote mutual respect and understanding of cultural, ethnic, racial, social and religious diversity. The celebration of intercultural diversity is an important component of school life and is emphasised particularly in Social, Personal and Health Education, which is a mandatory part of the national curriculum in primary schools. It is also emphasised in Civic, Social and Political Education which is an examinable subject taken by all junior cycle students in post-primary schools. Senior cycle programmes in Politics and Society and in Social, Personal and Health education are being developed. To assist primary and post-primary teachers and their pupils to have a better understanding of different cultures, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has developed Intercultural Guidelines. The materials in the guidelines help schools to develop a more inclusive learning environment and provide students with the skills and knowledge to live and participate in our ever developing intercultural world. The guidelines encourage teachers to integrate cultural issues right across the curriculum. There are many opportunities to compare and contrast life in different countries throughout the primary and post-primary curriculum whether in geography, music, Social, Personal and Health Education or history. These opportunities allow teachers and students to incorporate the intercultural perspective across the curriculum.

The Inspectorate of the Department is constantly carrying out whole school evaluations. In addition, it is carrying out an evaluation of the provision of English as an Additional Language in a number of primary and post-primary schools. A report on their evaluation will be prepared for mid-2009. It will, inter alia, evaluate the inclusion of services for migrant students within the whole school planning process. In October 2008, I will host a conference with the theme "Towards the Development of an Intercultural Education Strategy". This will be followed up by a number of focus groups with key stakeholders, including the education partners, to determine their views on Intercultural Education. Based on all of the above, if it becomes evident that there is a need to change from the very inclusive education that is in existence I will consider such evidence.