Irish Independent

Is there a future taoiseach in this class?

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WHILE a fundamenta­l review of the Leaving Cert is getting underway, ongoing changes are being introduced, including a revised grading system — coupled with a new CAO points scale — and new subjects.

This June, Leaving Cert candidates from 41 schools will be the first to sit State exams in the new subject of politics and society. Two more new subjects — computer science and PE — are being phased in from September, while practical assessment­s in traditiona­l science subjects are also being piloted. Among the politics and society pioneers are 50 sixth class pupils at Gorey Community School, Co Wexford, under the tutelage of Brendan O’Sullivan.

Currently, there is no textbook for the subject and O’Sullivan says the students have enjoyed the freedom of sourcing their own material and basing their discussion­s on their own views, rather than an author’s views. The role of social media in public discourse is reflected in the decision to set up a Twitter handle for the course: @GoreyCS_PolSoc. Recent topical issues covered in class include the gender equality debate and the Supreme Court ruling on the rights of the unborn.

Local councillor Malcolm Byrne has visited the class and found the “students were well-informed and asked very searching questions about politics.”

He added: “They were certainly aware about how politics impacts on their everyday lives and they are not afraid to challenge or suggest solutions.”

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