An important part of a child's education involves learning about and understanding the lives, values and traditions of friends, classmates and members of the wider community. Much of this learning already takes place in Irish classrooms, where a child's sense of their own identity and belonging is nurtured and valued. To ensure that every child has the opportunity for such learning and to ensure that the good practices that already take place in schools are recognised, the NCCA are developing a curriculum in Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics.
Consultation on the proposals for a curriculum in Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics took place from 3rd November 2015 to 31st March 2016.
The project worked with a network of schools to share inclusive practices taking place in various contexts. These inclusive practices speak to the diversity in our communities and schools, religious as well as cultural. They also speak to the teaching and learning of ethics and values in our classrooms. Many are rooted in the Intercultural Guidelines for Primary Schools and may link to ideas in the proposals for Education about Religions and Beliefs and Ethics. Others developed from specific school contexts and needs.
Balbriggan Educate Together
Eglish National School
Gaelscoil Riabhach
Kilcoskan National School
St. Thomas’ Junior National School
Naas Community National School
Sharing Inclusive Practice Seminar
On April 19th the schools in the Sharing Inclusive Practice Network came together in Marino to celebrate the work that they do and to share this work more broadly. Prof. Aislinn O’ Donnell (Maynooth University) and Dr. Patricia Kieran (Mary Immaculate College) provided a stimulating keynote. Check out the highlights
The Enquiring Classroom
NCCA are delighted to have been involved and contribute to the Enquiring Classroom Project. Check out the Enquiring Classroom Handbook. As part of an ERASMUS + Project Prof. Aislinn O'Donnell and Dr. Patricia Kieran have designed a handbook that speaks to some of the themes of the Sharing inclusive Practice Network. These ideas may helpful to you in your classroom.