Education Minister defends science curriculum

The Minister for Education is dismissing claims by a leading education expert that there is not enough emphasis on science and technology in Irish primary schools.

Dr Edward Walsh, a former president of the University of Limerick made the comments during an address to the Irish Primary Principals network conference in Galway.

However, Education Minister, Dr Michael Woods told Mid-West Radio the new curriculum deals directly with the issue.

"The teachers themselves have participated in the curriculum development. Professor Walsh was chairman of that group that he spoke about," he said.

"So I’m surprised to hear that he’s saying it’s taking time to develop. A lot of things at primary level do take time to develop."