Press Release
Date: Thursday 22 June 2000 (NR/109/00)
GIVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THE SKILLS TO MAKE A BETTER FUTURE
The world is changing faster than ever and being left behind is not an option. Making sure our young people have the skills to survive and thrive in the new order must be the main aim of the new Northern Ireland Curriculum.
This was the message delivered today to the Education Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). CCEA was reporting to the Education Committee on the progress of the current review of what is taught in our schools.
CCEA has spent the last month consulting on proposals for a new curriculum framework. During that time they have undertaken 37 meetings and talks with a wide variety of groups, in addition to 20 regional seminars for teachers. Committee members had the opportunity to hear feedback from those meetings as well as being briefed on CCEA’s proposals for change.
Speaking after the meeting CCEA Chief Executive Gavin Boyd said:
Both the Government’s Strategy 2010 document and the recent PricewaterhouseCoopers’ report - Economic Review and Prospects 2000, emphasise the need for an education system that plays a leading role in the development of a strong, dynamic and prosperous Northern Ireland.
We strongly believe that the emphasis in the school curriculum should be in teaching skills that will help our young people make their contribution as individuals, citizens and as participants in the economy and environment of our country.
There has been a broad welcome for the idea of moving from a subject led curriculum to one based on skills, relevance and enjoyment, emphasising personal development, citizenship, employability and ICT skills. We have reported to the committee that there is much support in the broader community for CCEA’s plans. Teachers have also welcomed the new framework but importantly want to see fresh thinking on assessment. They have also expressed a wish to concentrate on the review of the curriculum rather than having to respond to a range of government initiatives.
It is still early days in terms of the overall review, but it is clear to us that the best possible way forward is for CCEA and teachers to work together to provide our community with a truly world class and unique Northern Ireland Curriculum.
Copies of the CCEA proposals for what should be taught in our schools are available by contacting CCEA on (028) 9026 1228/(028) 9026 1242
Background to the review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum
CCEA has based its curriculum proposals on teachers’ views from the monitoring programme of 1997/98, the pupil cohort study, 1996–99, a number of research and development projects and the Curriculum 21 series of conferences that gave both local and international perspectives on curriculum development.
Timescales (in response to requests from teachers, CCEA has recently extended the deadline for consultation on the curriculum framework until 8 September 2000)
- From May–September 2000, CCEA will consult with schools and others
on a framework for what is to be taught in schools.
- From April–June 2001, on the basis of the agreed framework, proposals
for subjects at each key stage will be sent to schools for consultation.
- Having considered all the views expressed during these consultation
periods, CCEA will send final proposals to the Department of Education
in November 2001.
- In September 2002, Northern Ireland schools will begin to deliver the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
