Sir, – Both Brian Mooney "Why aren't we teaching pupils more about the EU" (Education, January 25th) and Barbara Nolan, head of representation, European Commission Representation in Ireland (Letters, February 1st) bemoan the dearth of teaching about the European Union in Ireland. What do they both know about how much teaching time is devoted to the EU in schools and what have they done to help?
For example, the topic “The future of Europe and the European Union, with particular reference to the issues relating to political union, economic union, and sovereignty” is a core part of the Leaving Cert (LC) geography syllabus. In 2021, the following question was asked on the higher level LC geography exam: “Explain each of the following challenges currently facing the EU: social challenges, economic challenges.” It appears to me that if a student chooses LC geography they will get a very thorough understanding of the EU.
Unfortunately many students will not in the future study LC geography. The Government’s decision to downgrade Junior Cycle geography means that increasing numbers of schools no longer teach it. This will undoubtedly reduce the number who study LC geography in the future. Given the impact this will have on the teaching of the EU, I’m curious as to what the European Commission Representation in Ireland did to try to ensure this would not happen? My guess is nothing. – Yours, etc,
SEAN KEAVNEY,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.