Gaffney wants history to remain mandatory

“There were fears being expressed that if history became an optional subject, then some children could go through our secondary education system without ever learning about Ireland’s struggle for freedom, our journey from conflict to peace on this island and about the Irish language and its place in our culture and our heritage,” says Blaine Gaffney, Fine Gael Local Area Representative.

Gaffney was among those who welcomed the news that a review of the optional status of History under the new Framework for Junior Cycle is now under way.

“Parents will be aware that prior to the introduction of the new Junior Cycle Framework, History was a mandatory subject along with Mathematics, English and Irish and there was calls for the Minister to reverse this decision.

“I would firmly be of the opinion that history needs to be returned to the mandatory category.”