'What's the hi-story?' asks Byrne

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education, Thomas Byrne, has sought an update from Minister McHugh as to the reinstating of history as a core junior cycle subject.

Deputy Byrne’s comments come as the Minister for Education said that reinstating history as a core subject was still possible, despite the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) report recommending that it should not happen.

Deputy Byrne said:  “Months on from the NCCA report and the issue is still up in the air. The Minister has given absolutely no indication of whether he will be reinstating the subject, despite saying previously that it is vital that students learn from the past.

“Fianna Fáil has consistently called for its reinstatement as a core subject. History is essential, now more than ever we must teach students the skills of research, of how to validate sources and identify fact from fiction. In the era of ‘fake news’ and right-wing rhetoric it’s important for our young people to be able to discern what is real and what isn’t.

“Identifying sources and learning about citations and referencing will serve students well when they get to third level. But if it is not compulsory at junior level, then there will be no uptake in later years.

“At the end of the day the decision on whether or not to reinstate history as a core subject lies with the Government, nobody else. Fianna Fáil will not accept anything less than the restoration of the subject as a core component of the curriculum," concluded Deputy Byrne.