Ken O'Flynn
Question:482. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the introduction of the revised primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51770/25]
View answerTuesday, 30 September 2025
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Written answers
The redeveloped Primary School Curriculum is for all children attending primary and special schools and consists of the Primary Curriculum Framework (2023) and five curriculum area specifications, including:
• Arts Education (including Art, Drama and Music)
• Language (including Irish, English and Modern Foreign Languages)
• Social and Environmental Education (including History and Geography)
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) Education
• Wellbeing (including Physical Education and Social, Personal and Health Education).
The 2025/2026 school year will be an introductory year focusing on the Primary Curriculum Framework. From the 2025/2026 school year, schools that feel ready may choose to begin working with any of the new curriculum specifications at their own pace. This flexible approach recognises that each school is on its own journey and may be at a different stage of readiness to engage with the redeveloped curriculum.
From the 2026/2027 school year, schools will introduce one curriculum area each year, with each area taking two years to fully enact. From the second year onward, two areas will be in progress simultaneously - one in its first year and another in its second. Schools can choose the order of enactment, but the Wellbeing specification must be one of the first three areas selected.
An optional consolidation year will be available to schools at any point during the enactment process. This allows schools to pause the enactment of a new curriculum area for one year in order to focus on strengthening and embedding the curriculum areas already in progress. The consolidation year is designed to give schools the flexibility to progress at a pace that suits their unique contexts, ensuring sustained quality and meaningful enactment.