Madam, – I wish to express my concern at the plans to remove geography and history as core subjects from the Junior Cycle in secondary schools. While there are issues with the examination of the Junior Certificate and student experience of studying the curriculum, removing two such fundamentally important areas of learning is deeply worrying and a poor solution to the need for reform.
Geography is vital in helping Ireland’s young people understand a complex, interconnected world. As citizens of an island nation and one of the most globalised countries in the world a study of geography is essential for equipping them with the skills needed to use and create opportunities offered by the smart economy at national and global level.
It would serve neither society nor the economy to rear generations of children ignorant of place and the past. Several countries such as Australia and United States have realised this mistake and are now re-introducing geography in their schools. We have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. We must retain Geography as a core subject in Irish second level schools. – Yours, etc,