Written answers

Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Department of Education and Skills

School Curriculum

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the matter of geography as a core subject for junior cycle will be reviewed in view of the wide scope of the subject, including the issues leading to and contributing to climate change. [47476/19]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has carried out an audit of the curriculum and have identified areas where climate change and Education for Sustainable Development are integrated:

www.ncca.ie/media/3573/esdreport_final_june2018.pdf.

e.g. Geography aims: 7. To develop and promote active citizenship and to encourage informed participation, through lifelong learning, in society at local, national, European and global level.

Politics and Society aims to develop the learner’s capacity to engage in reflective and active citizenship, informed by the insights and skills of social and political sciences’ and includes strands on active citizenship and a citizenship project

NCCA short course in Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE) - There is a strong focus on student action aimed at giving students an experience of active citizenship.  CSPE is an important part of a wellbeing programme within junior cycle as it enables students to feel connected to and take responsibility for the wellbeing of others. It also develops students' confidence, agency and engagement which are important characteristics of student wellbeing.

The recent review of the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) highlights the various resources available to schools in this area:

World Wise Global Schools, one of our ESD partners, provide Global Citizenship Education:  www.worldwiseschools.ie/development-education/.

The SEAI engage with schools in relation to energy, sustainability and climate change:  www.seai.ie/teaching-sustainability/.

Green Schools engage with 97% of schools:  .

INTO provide Global Citizenship schools information and resources:  www.into.ie/ROI/GlobalCitizenshipSchool/.

SCOILNET has a designated ESD portal which includes links to ESD resources:  www.scoilnet.ie/www.scoilnet.ie/esd/.

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