Sir, – It appears the Minister for Education has decided to rubber-stamp the NCCA’s proposal to remove history and geography from the core curriculum of the Junior Cycle.
There is no question that Lower Second Level education needs to change in Ireland. The NCCA quotes international best practice in its proposals, yet it conveniently ignores the mistakes of those countries (including England) mentioned as removing these disciplines 30 years ago but which are now reintroducing them.
It is beyond comprehension that in Ireland, one of the most globalised countries, a geographical education would be seen as optional luxury rather than a necessity. It beggars belief that on the cusp of a series of 100th anniversaries of events that defined us as a people and a nation, the Government would ensure students forget the past that continues to shape their destiny.
At the launch of the Towards a Framework for the Junior Cycle document, the Minister stated “Good and enthusiastic teachers in history and geography have the opportunity to inspire a real interest in their subject and so ensure that pupils will want to sit the exam”. This presupposes that students are taking the subject in the first place, which, under the current proposals, they will not be. They will lose much more than an exam.
Change is needed. But it should come after careful and broadly consulted deliberation and not in some rush just to ensure something was done. – Yours, etc,