Primary school is a momentous time in the lives of children – providing them with a good start to their education is an important goal for society. That is why the publication of the new primary curriculum framework, due shortly, is an important milestone.
It is almost 25 years since the last curriculum was published, during which the classroom and wider society have transformed. Today’s digital natives have ready access to the world’s information, family structures have changed and the classroom is more diverse.There is, importantly, a requirement to help those with additional needs.
The new curriculum, say policymakers, aims to respond to these changes, while building on the strengths of the existing teaching framework. Under the reforms, primary schoolchildren will spend more time learning foreign languages, science, technology and engineering. At a time of growing debate over the role of homework, the new curriculum recommends consolidating children’s learning at home through learning which “may” include homework. There will also be a big focus on “wellbeing” and giving schools more flexibility to meet children’s needs.
Another dramatic change over the past 25 years is in declining religious practice and greater diversity in beliefs. Yet the primary education system remains a place where almost 90 per cent of primary schools are under the control of the Catholic Church. This raises urgent questions about the role of the State in ensuring that all children feel included in publicly funded schools.
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The new primary framework seeks to address this by reducing the time spent teaching religion by half an hour a week. There would also be a new curriculum on “religion, ethical and multi-belief education”, to give pupils a wider perspective on beliefs. There remains a strong argument for moving faith formation outside the core school day as an “opt-in” subject.
The curriculum seeks to equip children with the kind of knowledge, skills and values that will enable them to adapt and deal with a rapidly changing world. These capabilities include being an active citizen; being creative; learning to be a learner; fostering wellbeing; communicating; being mathematical and being a digital learner.
Ultimately, a curriculum reflects educational priorities which society deems important. Children born today are due to begin their working lives in the 2040s and retire in the late 2080s or early 2090s. They face the rising influence of artificial intelligence and global challenges such as climate change, migration and sustainability.
We may not know the answers, but we know resilience, creativity, innovation and critical thinking will be key for future generations.
In facing these challenges, we must ensure our children have every chance to thrive, flourish and realise their full potential.
