Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons science is not one of the specified subjects in the proposed new junior cycle as set out in Towards A Framework for Junior Cycle, which was launched by him on 3 November in view of his stated intention to develop Ireland as a knowledge-based economy. [34862/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have endorsed the broad thrust of the proposals on junior cycle reform submitted to me by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in October 2011 following an extensive consultation process. What is proposed is a general framework which is a first step in the reform process, and the detailed implications have yet to be considered. The question of whether science will be compulsory will be discussed by my officials with the partners in education as part of consideration of the implementation issues.

At present science is studied by 90% of the cohort in junior cycle. While the importance of science in the knowledge society is fully appreciated, other factors have also to be considered such as the importance of curriculum choice in encouraging increased retention rates, the need to cater for a diverse range of interests in schools, and to avoid an erosion of the practical subjects, particularly for weaker students.