Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the new junior certificate. [36487/11]

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. They envisage that all students will be expected to achieve 24 statements of learning over the period of their junior cycle. These include developing an understanding of the natural world, learning how to think and act sustainably, understanding the distribution of social, economic and environmental phenomena, valuing local and national heritage and recognising the relevance of the past to current national and international issues and events.

It is clear therefore that geographical and historical awareness skills will be necessary to achieve the required outcomes. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered at the discretion of the school, and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from as possible. This issue will be taken forward in the discussions on implementation with the partners in education.