Help foster a passion for lifelong learning

TWEAKING particular sections in the Leaving Certificate curriculum in isolation from the full range of subjects and cross-curricular development is a poor micro solution to a macro problem.

The first question to ask is — what are the aspirations of the entire second level curriculum? What outcomes would we wish for the student who has been studying a range of subjects for two years?

Imagine for a moment that the English curriculum includes the study of the Odyssey in conjunction with James Joyce’s Ulysses — and then think of the young person, who, on their travels, is able to discuss with a German, a Korean or an American, this most famous of novels written by an Irishman.