Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Department of Education and Skills

School Curriculum

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide new courses in the leaving certificate, such as coding, physical education and politics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has committed to enriching teaching and learning with new curricula, in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019. This will contribute to delivering a “Step-Change” in the development of critical skills, knowledge and competences and providing the foundations for participation in work and society.

The roll-out of the new Leaving Certificate subject of Politics and Society has commenced in 41 schools from September 2016, following an open invitation to introduce this as an optional Leaving Certificate subject. Politics and Society aims to develop the student's ability to be a reflective and active citizen, in a way that is informed by the insights and skills of social and political science. The introduction of the specification is part of my Department's commemoration of 1916 and its commitment to education for sustainable development. The subject will be available to all schools from 2018.

The Government is committed to enhancing the availability of technology in schools through the introduction of ICT/Computer Science as a Leaving Certificate subject. As set out in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is conducting a scoping exercise in this regard. Informed by this research, the NCCA will work on development of a draft subject specification in 2017, with a view to implementation in schools in September 2019.

Physical Education is being developed by the NCCA as a full subject that can be assessed for the Leaving Certificate in a manner similar to other subjects. A specification for Leaving Certificate Physical Education is due to be finalised by the NCCA by the end of 2016. In addition, a Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework specification has recently been completed by the NCCA. The Framework will assist schools to design a P.E. programme for those students who may not choose to take P.E. as part of their Leaving Certificate examination.  These developments are in keeping with the strong emphasis from my Department on promoting and encouraging Healthy Lifestyles for all students and commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government. 

The Action Plan for Education also includes commitments to finalise and implement additional subject specifications at Leaving Certificate level as resources permit.

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