Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his position on the reform of the junior certificate examinations and the effect this will have on certain core subjects (details supplied); the measures he will put in place to offset the impact of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14388/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In the context of junior cycle reform, which will begin implementation on a phased basis from 2014 onwards, all of the existing subjects, including history, are being continued. Irish (except where there is an exemption), English and Mathematics will remain core full subjects. Schools will also have the option of providing locally developed short courses of 100 hours, supported by exemplars developed by the NCCA. All students will be required to achieve 24 statements of learning as part of their programme. These statements include valuing local and national heritage and recognising the relevance of the past to current national and international issues and events. It will be a matter for schools to determine, from the range of subjects and short courses on offer, how these statements of learning will be met. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decisions on what is offered at the discretion of the school, and of students having a range of options to choose from. Good and enthusiastic history teachers have the opportunity to inspire a real interest in their subject and so ensure that pupils will want to sit the exam.