Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason history is being considered as a non-core subject at junior certificate level; his views on this proposal; the timeframe for the introduction of this proposal; if concerns have been expressed by stakeholders; if his Department plans to hold a public consultation process in respect of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In line with the philosophy of the Framework for Junior Cycle, no subject or short course will be deemed compulsory apart from Irish, English and Mathematics, and the new area of learning of Wellbeing.  Thereafter schools will have the flexibility and autonomy to choose from 18 other subjects, including History.  Schools will be given flexibility to shape their own junior cycle programme by including a selection of subjects, short courses and other learning experiences that will allow their students to meet the requirements of the twenty-four statements of learning outlined in the Framework.

Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decision on what is offered at the discretion of the school. Curriculum choice is important in motivating students to learn and to remain in school to completion of senior cycle. The vast majority of schools already offer History and Geography and the vast majority of students choose these subjects although they are currently compulsory in only half our schools. The popularity of subjects depends on the quality of teaching, the passion of the teachers for their subjects and the engagement of their students. I see no reason why the popularity of History will change in the future.

History will begin implementation in schools from September 2018, with the new specification being made available in mid 2017. 

My Department met with representatives of the History Teachers' Association of Ireland in early 2012 and the discussion at that meeting helped to inform the design of the JC Framework. I have every confidence that the changes envisaged in Framework will ensure that the place of historical study will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum. Such an impetus should help to improve take up of History at senior cycle also.