Curriculum change bad start to Heritage Week

HERITAGE WEEK begins today and every media outlet — radio, television and newspapers — is busy highlighting the importance of our cultural and environmental heritage and the nationwide programme of activities being provided to enable all of us to appreciate and enjoy that heritage.

At the same time the Minister for Education and Skills is proposing to make changes to the school curriculum from September 2012 which could undermine history and geography — two of the subjects best equipped to educate our children about their historical and environmental heritage.

The Junior Cycle in post-primary school is the only time in the education of young people when there is a comprehensive study of these two subjects as disciplines available for all students.

Since the foundation of the state, every student in a secondary school has taken history and geography up to the end of their Junior Cycle programme. The minister is proposing to change this provision from September of next year. Is this to be the highlight of the programme for Heritage Week next year?

It may be if we, as a nation, don’t care enough to oppose it. I urge everybody who cares about our education and our heritage to start a national debate about this.

Niamh Crowley

PRO

History Teachers Association of Ireland

Waterford