7th September 2023
INTO: teachers must be afforded time to implement new Primary Mathematics Curriculum
The INTO has welcomed the launch of the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum but emphasised that teachers must be afforded time and professional development support to implement it.
The Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, today launched the new Primary Mathematics Curriculum for primary and special schools.
The new curriculum is the result of seven years of consultation and development led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It will replace the current mathematics curriculum, which is 24 years old having been published in 1999.
While the content of mathematics has not changed greatly in that time, this new curriculum presents a fresh vision for children’s mathematical learning that is characterised by playfulness, creativity, challenge, risk-taking, collaboration and opportunities for reasoning and solving real-life problems.
Supports for schools and teachers
The Department of Education (DE) has announced a suite of supports for schools and teachers to introduce the new curriculum. This year, teachers will be asked to familiarise themselves with the curriculum with a view to its implementation from September 2024.
Following strong representation from the INTO, there will be face-to-face seminars for school leaders and school closures to allow schools to explore the curriculum. On-site support to schools will be provided by personnel from Oide, the new integrated support service.
Additional support for school leaders
The INTO welcomes additional supports for school leaders. Principal teachers and curriculum leaders will have access to Oide professional learning leaders via online collaboratives and clinics.
The DE and NCCA have also collaborated on an Information Note for Parents/Guardians on the new curriculum. This will be made available to Early Years settings in collaboration with the Department of Children.
Member input
INTO Deputy General Secretary Deirdre O’Connor acknowledged the input of members in the development of the curriculum but emphasised that Department support for teachers is key if the curriculum is to be successfully implemented.
She said:
Teachers have been central to the development of this curriculum for mathematics, which will meet the needs of children in our fast-changing world. The INTO wishes to acknowledge the input of our members on development boards, in network schools and those who engaged in consultations.
The Minister now needs to ensure that teachers get the time and professional development they need to implement it. We have lobbied hard for the supports announced today and will continue to advocate to ensure that our members can deliver this curriculum to its full extent.
Hard copies of the curriculum will issue to all schools in the coming weeks. The curriculum can be accessed online at: www.ncca.ie and www.curriculumonline.ie.