Source: The Irish Times

Date: 28 December 2011

 

Sir, – From September 2014, history and geography are set to become compulsory in English schools, until pupils reach the age of 16.

In September 2014, with the introduction of a new junior curriculum in Ireland, the “prescriptiveness” of history will be removed. Individual schools at local level will be free to determine whether history will be taught, or presented as an examination subject.

In most European countries, according to Euroclio (the European Association of History Educators) history is obligatory till the end of compulsory education. Euroclio views history education as important in the building and deepening of democratic societies. It has, for instance, played a leading role in advancing history education in the countries of the former Soviet empire since 1991.

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