Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for changing the junior certificate education system when there is conflicting evidence as to the merits of this change. [49639/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is the statutory body with responsibility for matters relating to the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools and the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects which are part of the curriculum. Findings from research commissioned by the NCCA showed that the quality of engagement – with the schools, with teachers and with learning – is central to this phase of education.  ESRI research highlighted that a number of students were not progressing in first year, more were disengaging in second year and that were also students not developing their particular skills and interests.   These findings were further underpinned when the OECDs Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results for Irish 15 year olds were published, showing a decline in reading and maths scores.  These combined findings indicated that the junior cycle in the existing format did not meet the needs of students and a failure to reform the junior cycle would see a continuation of this decline.

The new Framework for Junior Cycle gives students the opportunity to develop a wider range of knowledge and skills to equip them for further learning, for work, for responsible and active citizenship and for healthy living. It gives students better learning opportunities and recognises non-academic achievement.