Social and Environmental Education contributes to children’s understanding and development of the interconnected historical, geographical, and societal dimensions and processes of life.
It supports children’s awareness, appreciation and understanding of the world through learning about the rich diversity of peoples: their experiences, cultures, religions, beliefs, and environments in different times, places and circumstances. It helps children to develop an understanding of the human and natural environments and the relationship between them.
Through Social and Environmental Education, children develop the attitudes, concepts, dispositions, knowledge, skills, and values that motivate and empower them to become informed and active citizens who promote a more sustainable future. This is made more meaningful and empowering through children’s active identification, exploration and investigation of local, national, and global challenges and opportunities, past and present. Hence, children come to an understanding and appreciation of their inherent rights and responsibilities as custodians of this planet.
Sign up to receive the latest news on curriculum and assessment work and events from NCCA.
Consultation is now open on the Draft Social and Environmental Education Curriculum Specification.
Draft Social and Environmental Education Curriculum Specification
NCCA would love to hear your feedback and input. For more information on the consultation and how you can get involved, please visit our dedicated consultation page.
Primary Social and Environmental Education (SEE) Development Group
NCCA advises the Minister for Education on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, for primary and post-primary schools. As part of the broader developments in primary, it is envisaged that a new specification for Social and Environmental Education will be finalised in early 2025.
The SEE Development Group will have a key role in this work. The development group consists of the nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies and the Department of Education.
For more information on the development processes of NCCA and members of the development groups, visit Boards and Development Groups.
Meeting notes from the Primary SEE Development Group can be accessed below.
- Meeting 1 December 2022
- Meeting 2 January 2023
- Meeting 3 February 2023
- Meeting 4 March 2023
- Meeting 5 May 2023
- Meeting 6 May 2023
- Meeting 7 September 2023
- Meeting 8 October 2023
- Meeting 9 November 2023
- Meeting 10 December 2023
- Meeting 12 October 2024
A systematic literature review has been carried out by Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin on behalf of NCCA to support the development of a specification for Social and Environmental Education.
> Literature Review for Social and Environmental Education
NCCA worked in partnership with Hub na nÓg and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), to consult with children on the future of Geography and History as part of the curriculum area of Social and Environmental Education. The report presents the views, opinions, thoughts and suggestions of the children participating in the consultation. A child-friendly version has also been developed and shared with the children's schools.