History must be core component in Junior Cert Curriculum-Kildare TD

By Kim O'Leary

Kildare South Fianna Fáil TD, Fiona O’Loughlin has called on the Minister for Education to ensure that History is restored as a core component in the Junior Cert curriculum.

Deputy O’Loughlin, who is Chairperson of the Oireachtas Education Committee, recently took part in a discussion in UCC to commemorate 100 years since women were allowed to vote in Ireland.

Commenting on the matter Deputy O’Loughlin said, “The decision made by Minister McHugh upon his appointment as Minister for Education, to review the decision to make history an optional subject at Junior Certificate is very welcome, however he must ensure that common sense prevails and that the subject is indeed restored as a core component.

“Last week I took part in a very informative discussion in UCC organized by Dr. Finola Doyle O'Neill. This followed a parade led by Sabina Higgins and a series of orations by UCC academics and staff playing the parts of well-known suffragettes including Emmeline Pankhurst, Hanna Sheehy-Skefffington and Countess Markievicz. The common thread throughout the day was of the importance to acknowledge and commemorate our History. It is a matter of serious concern to me and indeed my Party leader Micheál Martin that History is no longer a core subject in the new junior cycle.  The emphasis in the Junior Cert history curriculum on learning how to research, how to validate sources, how to identify bias and distinguish fact from fiction is surely more important now than ever before. We must only look around the world and at the rise in far-right parties, to know that learning about populism, about how fascists came to power and how democratic institutions can be eroded will always be relevant," she said.

"Fianna Fáil recognises the immeasurable importance of history as a subject and we have committed to restoring it as a core component in the junior cycle,” concluded Deputy O’Loughlin.