There’s a less expensive way of educating young people on the EU

IN his letter (July 16), Anthony Barnwell says he finds Deputy Seán Sherlock’s suggestion of a transition year course on the EU “condescending and patronising”.

While I wouldn’t go as far as Mr Barnwell, I do have some problems with Deputy Sherlock’s proposal. Firstly the EU institutions are included in the Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) syllabus. CSPE is a compulsory Junior Certificate subject covering a range of issues intending to make young people more aware of their social and political rights and responsibilities, including an examination of the EU institutions. A new course specific to the EU would only add to an already heavily loaded timetable for students.

My second problem with the deputy’s suggestion is the proposal to make a school visit to the European Parliament in Brussels part of the curriculum.