Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how he is addressing concerns of teachers that the new junior certificate curriculum will lead to a diminution of standards in learning and to subject contents that are not challenging. [18245/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The new junior cycle aims to ensure that our students will develop the key skills that are necessary for later learning and for life. It is designed to encourage innovation in schools and creative teaching and learning in the classroom.

The dual approach to assessment in the new junior cycle and the prominence it gives to classroom based assessment and formative assessment will develop better learners. Students will be more skilled in areas such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, managing information, self-management and working with others. Students will also receive feedback on their learning on a regular basis, review their own progress and discuss their progress with their teachers and other students with a view to identifying next steps to be taken. This will help to deepen the students' learning, help them to become more self-aware as learners and build their capacity to manage their own learning. For example, their motivation to stick with a complex task or problem will be greatly enhanced.

As a result, students will have more satisfying learning experiences and improved outcomes and will be much more prepared for study at senior cycle.

The revised junior cycle curricula have all been internationally benchmarked to ensure that Ireland's young people have learning opportunities that are among the best in the world. In addition, Ireland will be continuing to participate in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), thus allowing us to monitor any changes in standards over time.