Overview
- The Department of Education published the redeveloped curriculum and confirmed a nationwide phased rollout across all primary and special schools starting next year.
- Primary learning is reorganized into five areas: Arts Education; Language, including Modern Foreign Languages; Social and Environmental Education; STEM Education; and Wellbeing.
- Wellbeing introduces teaching on sexual orientation for 5th and 6th class, excludes gender identity, defines consent in a general context, doubles time for PE and SPHE, and allows puberty to be taught from 3rd class.
- All pupils will begin a modern foreign language from 5th class, and STEM gains a discrete, inquiry-driven focus with an emphasis on digital skills.
- Social and Environmental Education requires learning about world religions from historical and geographical perspectives regardless of school ethos, and the minister says the content is age-appropriate and will need funding and teacher supports to implement.