Education Committee to focus on Reform of the Leaving Cert Curriculum

The schedule for the meeting is:

Session A: The ongoing reform of the Leaving Certificate Curriculum [Mr. John Doran, Guidance Counsellor; Dr. Katriona O'Sullivan, Academic, Maynooth University; officials from the Department of Education and Skills, the State Examinations Commission, and representatives from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA); the Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU); the Teaching Council; National Parents' Council Post-Primary and IBEC]

Session B: Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report, 2015 [Comhairle na nÓg National Executive]

Committee Chair Fiona O’Loughlin, TD said: “Tomorrow, the Committee will focus on recent changes made to the Leaving Certificate curriculum as well as proposed changes. The Committee will be keen to examine if the reforms to the college entry system rewarding students taking exams at a higher level at Leaving Certificate has had the desired effect. Other issues we may focus could include the Leaving Certificate Examination itself and if it is too predictable and if there is a role for teachers in reforming the Leaving Certificate.

The Committee will also focus on the curriculum and among the topics that may be up for discussion are:  if there is a need for it to be more flexible to include courses aimed at addressing the ever-changing skillsets required by businesses; should there be a move from a system of assessment to an education cycle which has a greater emphasis on skills which may be more sought after in the workplace; and if the range of foreign languages courses available is sufficient in a global economy.

In the second part of our meeting, we will discuss the Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report, 2015 with the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive. This is likely to cover the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.”

This meeting starts at 4pm on Tuesday, 21 November 2017 in Committee Room 2 Leinster House. Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

On Wednesday, 22 November, the Select Committee on Education and Skills will resume committee stage examination of the Technological Universities Bill 2015 with Minister of State for Higher Education. This meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 at 5pm. Watch proceedings here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.