HISTORY and geography are to remain core subjects for the Junior Certificate in secondary schools, the Minister for Education said. Ms Breathnach said they would be optional subjects in vocational, community and comprehensive schools.
She was responding to a Fianna Fail motion in private members time, moved by the party's education spokesman, Mr Micheiil Martin, who said they were important, broad based subjects and should form part of the core curriculum for very valid reasons.
Ms Breathnach said some believed that the White Paper meant these subjects were to be excluded. "Nothing could be further from the truth.
Debate on the motion continues this evening.