Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. 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. [10687/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has committed to enriching teaching and learning with new curricula, in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019. The central vision of the Plan is that the Irish Education and Training System should become the best in Europe over the next decade. 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.

There are important developments in relation to coding across the primary and post-primary sector. The Action Plan for Education includes a commitment to develop a new subject specification for Leaving Certificate Computer Science which will help to harness and develop student interest in this strategically important discipline.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has, in this regard, recently commenced the curriculum development process, with a view to the subject being introduced to schools from September 2018, following a period of professional development for teachers of the subject.

The formulation of curriculum and assessment arrangements is a complex and intensive process. It can involve research, analysis, action-research or piloting in schools and extensive consultation with stakeholders including students, parents, teacher unions and others. This is then followed by a period of professional development for teachers. I am exploring whether the projected timescale for Leaving Certificate Computer Science can be adjusted so that implementation in schools can commence sooner.

At Junior Cycle level a short course on Coding developed by the NCCA is available to schools on an optional basis. The course looks to build on the coding skills that primary students may have experienced while offering insight into possible future studies in computer science and software engineering.

The roll-out of the new Leaving Certificate subject of Politics and Society 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.

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 was finalised by the NCCA in late 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.