‘Ground-breaking’ change will give students role in shaping curriculum

Secondary school students are set to play a key role in shaping future curriculum and assessment changes under new “revolutionary” proposals.

Minister for Education Norma Foley is planning to appoint a students' representative to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) for the first time.

It means students will be formally represented on the State advisory body’s 25-member council, which is pivotal in the development, planning and reviewing of the syllabus and examinations in schools.

Ms Foley wrote to education partners recently, stating she proposed to amend the composition of the council to include a representative of the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU) to provide a “student voice”.

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She has invited views on her plans from teachers’ unions, school managers, parents’ groups and industry representatives who are currently on the council.

Emer Neville, ISSU president, said the inclusion of student representatives on the council would be a "ground-breaking" move .

“It is one we at the ISSU would most certainly welcome. It would truly revolutionise the way student voice is included in education and policymaking discussions, solidifying students as key stakeholders in education,” she said.

‘Open mind’

“This is something the ISSU has been working towards since its founding in 2008; to see it finally being proposed is absolutely incredible.

“We hope stakeholders will consider this with an open mind and work alongside us in advocating for the inclusion of student voice.”

While students are typically consulted as part of proposed changes which affect them, they have never been represented on the council.

Among the key issues which students could play a key role in shaping include an ongoing review of the senior cycle, and relationships and sexuality education (RSE).

Students have voiced strong opinions in recent times on the need to reform the senior cycle to include more continual assessment and recognise a broader array of skills.

They also argue RSE programmes in schools are badly outdated and need to reflect the reality facing students.

The ISSU was founded after the disbandment of the Union of Secondary Students of Ireland in 2008.

Key issues

The union has proved influential in recent years and played a key role in shaping alternative Leaving Cert assessment models since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group’s regional networks and use of social media have proved effective in lobbying and ensuring the student voice has been to the centre of issues affecting them in recent years.

The capacity of the union has grown recently, due in part to its organisational structures and additional funding from the Department of Education to help with day-to-day running costs.

Its budget from the department has climbed from €40,000 in 2019 to €84,500 this year.

The student voice in schools is likely to grow over the coming years with the planned enactment of the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.

The draft legislation will put in place measures aimed at fostering a culture change in schools in terms of engagement with students and student councils as well as parents, parents’ associations and school staff.