Sir, – From September 2014, history and geography are set to become compulsory in English schools, until pupils reach the age of 16.
In September 2014, with the introduction of a new junior curriculum in Ireland, the “prescriptiveness” of history will be removed. Individual schools at local level will be free to determine whether history will be taught, or presented as an examination subject.
In most European countries, according to Euroclio (the European Association of History Educators) history is obligatory till the end of compulsory education. Euroclio views history education as important in the building and deepening of democratic societies. It has, for instance, played a leading role in advancing history education in the countries of the former Soviet empire since 1991.
The Council of Europe has always considered history to have unique value, especially for the promotion of inclusion and tolerance. The Government is a signatory to two influential Council of Europe recommendations on history teaching, in 1996 and 2001.
Without amelioration of the changes intended for September 2014, Ireland is heading for a unique European distinction of removing its students from the history classroom earlier than any other European state. – Yours, etc,