Curriculum in National Schools

A new curriculum was introduced in national schools in September 1999. This is known as the revised primary school curriculum or the 1999 curriculum. The curriculum is being implemented over a period of five years and is expected to be fully implemented in all schools by the end of 2005. There are on-going special in-service training and support arrangements for teachers.

The primary school curriculum consists of 6 curriculum areas that are further divided into 11 subjects.
These are:

• Languages 
  Gaeilge, English.
• Mathematics
• Social, Environmental and Scientific Education  
  History, Geography, Science
• Arts Education 
  Music, Visual Arts, Drama.
• Physical Education
• Social Personal and Health Education
  
  The Citizens Information website has full details on all of these subjects.

Aims of curriculum

The aims of the curriculum are to ensure that all children are provided with learning opportunities that recognise and celebrate their uniqueness, develop their full potential and prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The focus is on the child as learner, and the use of a variety of teaching methodologies is an essential feature of the curriculum.

The curriculum aims to foster the development of key skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, inquiry, investigation and analysis, and social and personal awareness and interaction. In particular, it places key emphasis on the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills.

The curriculum aims to ensure that children's experience of school will lead them to value and enjoy learning and develop the ability and the motivation to learn independently.

The curriculum emphasises the need for greater attention to be paid to students with special educational needs and emphasises the importance of achieving functional literacy and numeracy. It also draws attention to the needs of gifted children.
source  citizensinformation.ie»

Links and Resources

• Curriculum in national schools
  Under the Education Act, 1998 the Minister for Education and Science may set down the curriculum for recognised schools. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment was established as a statutory body in July 2001 more »