Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way her Department is meeting the Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)4 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on the participation of citizens in local public life. [52805/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the relevant recommendation, as the Deputy will be aware, schools are a key part of the local public life in their communities. There are numerous links between schools and their communities. Since boards of management were introduced in our schools, thousands of local volunteers have individually and collectively enriched and contributed to the management and operation of our schools. This strong tradition of volunteerism and civic contribution continues to pay a key part in the running of our schools. The composition of a board of management is based on centrally agreed arrangements between the relevant stakeholders and the agreed compositions for boards of management of the circa 3,300 primary schools provides for the appointment of members from the community to the Board.

In addition, the school curriculum promotes the concept of citizenship and the role of citizens in public life. In particular the Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) curriculum aims to inform, inspire, empower and enable young people to participate as active citizens in contemporary society at local, national and global levels. The Aistear curriculum for early years also explores and promotes the concept of citizenship and social justice with children.

Initial Teacher Education and Continuous Professional Development programmes for teachers and the Teaching Council’s Standards for Initial Teacher Education include Global Citizenship Education as a core element.