AQW 1727/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/09/2011
Answered On Date: 13/09/2011
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline the provision in the post-primary curriculum for the teaching of Northern Irish history.

Answer:

History is a statutory requirement at Key Stage 3 and a qualification choice at Key Stage 4.

Under the statutory minimum content for history all post-primary schools are required to provide pupils at Key Stage 3 with the opportunities to investigate Irish and British historical periods including the long and short term causes and consequences of the partition of Ireland and how it has influenced this State today, including key events and turning points.

At Key Stage 4 there is a significantly less curricular prescription in order to provide greater choice and flexibility for pupils. At Key Stage 4 and in sixth form it is for pupils to choose to study history.