Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to adjust the status for the junior certificate curriculum for geography or history; his views on the importance of these subjects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10874/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The new Junior Cycle has been developed over several years and is now in the process of being implemented, with the final phase of new subject specifications being introduced to schools from September 2019. 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 rewards and recognises non-academic performance and achievements, with a central focus on the student’s quality of life, well-being and mental health.

Prior to the introduction of the new Framework for Junior Cycle the status of History and Geography in junior cycle varied by school type. History and Geography were only core subjects in voluntary secondary schools (52% of schools).

The new Framework for Junior Cycle, currently being rolled out, focusses on active and collaborative learning. It gives greater flexibility and autonomy to schools in terms of subject selection, and new short courses, to tailor a student’s learning to achieve better outcomes for that student. Students are able to study up to 10 subjects for certification through the new Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

It is important to note that currently some 90% of students across all schools choose to study History at Junior Cycle, although it is not compulsory in all schools. Some 92% of Junior Cycle students study Geography.

This is a clear indication that in respect of subjects like history and geography, schools make curricular decisions in the absence of directives and we expect this to continue.

We have a dedicated cohort of history and geography teachers in our post-primary schools, who will be promoting the inclusion of their subject within programmes provided to students by their schools.There is every reason to be confident that through the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle 2015 the curricular significance of history and Geography will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum.

The direction of Junior Cycle reform is consistent with practice in other high-performing education systems such as New Zealand, Queensland, Estonia and Finland, where schools have been given greater autonomy and flexibility in developing the programmes they offer.

Since arriving in the Department I have spoken publicly of how vital it is that our young people learn from the past so that they can plan for the future. At a national, European and international level it has never been more important for people to understand the lessons of history. As we face the very difficult challenges of Brexit while also addressing the many aspects of our War of Independence and Civil War, the Decade of Commemorations will question the importance of understanding the historical context.

I have asked the NCCA to carry out a review of the optional nature of history in Junior Cycle and I await that report.