Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

218. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the new junior cycle science course is being allocated a total of 200 hours of class contact time over three years having been reduced from the current junior cycle science syllabus which recommends 240-270 hours class contact time. [24268/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new specifications for all subjects in the new Junior Cycle will state a minimum time for the delivery of the subject. This will be 200 hours for science and other subjects apart from English, Irish and Maths. This is not a maximum or target time and is intended to give schools flexibility to plan a Junior Cycle Programme that will meet the educational needs of their students. Schools will decide what mix of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences will enable their students to meet the requirements of the 24 Statements of Learning, including those related to science education.

This approach provides an opportunity to enhance provision for Science Education at Junior Cycle. The specification for Science will give schools the freedom to provide more time for Science if they deem it appropriate, or to provide short courses or learning experiences such as involvement in the Young Scientist and Technology competition or SciFest. A greater focus in other subjects on key skills such as managing information and thinking will also support the development of science-related skills and aptitudes. All second year students will also take standardised tests in scientific literacy from spring 2018.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed total contact hours in the new junior cycle courses; the current number of class contact hours in the versions being used at the moment set out in tabular form. [24269/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are 167 days in the school year at second level, not counting examination days. This works out at a total of 935.2 hours of class contact time per school year.

It is left to the discretion of schools, as far as possible, to devise a junior cycle programme that incorporates different requirements and reflects the priorities of the school and its students.

It would not be accurate to compare in tabular form the class contact hours for specific subjects, as very few subjects currently have specified time requirements. For those subjects which do have a time allocation, it is often only a recommended time, rather than a requirement.

It is also important to note that the time allocations which are specified for the new Junior Cycle are only baseline figures, and not specified requirements. Each school has the flexibility to provide many different interpretations of the Framework – the number of subjects, time above the minimum allocated to some or all subjects, the number of short courses and other learning experiences. Options chosen will be unique to each school and, in many instances, will be tailored to meet the educational needs of each student.