Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697803589987.pdf (Ireland)
Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Roundtable discussion on the Future of STEM in Irish Education 25th April 2023 Opening Statement Evelyn O’Connor Principal Officer, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit Department of Education Chairperson and members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, thank you for inviting the Department of Education to take part in this Roundtable discussion on the future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Irish Education.
I am Evelyn O’Connor and I am the head of Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit with responsibility for STEM education.

I am joined here by my colleague Karen Murtagh, Assistant Principal Officer in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit also with responsibility for STEM.

Nurturing children and young people’s STEM curiosity starts from early childhood, continues throughout their school learning journey, and beyond into further and higher education and the world of work.
Along this journey we must enable learners to become active and reflective participants by providing a range of learning and formative assessment experiences that enhances their curiosity, inquiry, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

The promotion of STEM and digital learning within our education system is a key priority for the Department of Education.
It is reflected in multiple strategy documents, such as the STEM Education Policy Statement, Digital Strategy for Schools, Arts in Education Charter, and the National Strategy: Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life.

STEM and digital education is also supported by ongoing curriculum and assessment reform, teacher professional development, embedding of digital learning and advances in initial teacher education.
It is of note that Ireland is one of only a few European member states that has a national policy for STEM education.

The STEM Education Policy Statement published in 2017 provides a focus on STEM education in our early learning and care settings, primary and post-primary schools.

The policy statement is supported by two implementation plans, one of which was published in 1 2017 and the latest in March of this year.
Challenges have been identified such as the lack of understanding of how to integrate STEM across the entire curriculum, provision of STEM subjects in post-primary schools, shortages of STEM teachers, unconscious bias and the need for further provision of professional development and resources.
The policy statement and the supporting implementation plans aim to address these challenges so as to ensure that all learners, regardless of background, gender, ability or location are given the same opportunity to develop their STEM skills.
The Policy Statement acknowledges that school leaders and teachers require the necessary subject matter knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and the appropriate skills, confidence and competence to embed STEM skills in learning, teaching and assessment in the classroom.

It also recognises the need to encourage and inspire more of our children and young people, particularly more females, to engage with STEM during their education and training journeys.
It identifies that a co-ordinated approach from the Department of Education and from the broad range of stakeholders with an interest in STEM and digital education is required in order for this to be achieved.

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 sets out the Department of Education’s policy approach on embedding digital technology across the curriculum and in all aspects of learning, teaching and assessment and builds on the achievements of the previous strategy.
The strategy’s focus is on the embedding of digital skills across the curriculum as a whole.

Similar to the STEM Education Policy Statement and its associated Action Plan, the Digital Strategy aims to ensure that all learners are given the same opportunity to develop their digital skills.
The Implementation Plan for the strategy is currently being finalised and will make sure to complement and reinforce the STEM Education Policy Statement to encourage broader participation and enhance STEM learning for all learners.

The building and sustaining of a vibrant STEM and digital education eco-system for all learners will require ongoing innovation in STEM and digital education underpinned by evidence.
The continued use of an evidence-led approach will assist in implementing and informing future policy decisions.

There are many areas where work is ongoing in order to further enhance STEM and digital learning within our schools.
This work includes the development of a Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance, a comprehensive programme of work to support teacher supply with a number of measures being progressed, the development and implementation of 2 recommendations in relation to gender balance in STEM and primary and senior cycle redevelopment.
The Department of Education will continue its work with colleagues in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as well as our education partners including the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the State Examinations Commission, our teachers and school leaders, parents, learners, business and industry, our further and higher education institutions, Science Foundation Ireland and the wider education stakeholders, in order to provide a high-quality STEM education experience for all our learners that creates a positive disposition towards STEM and digital learning and enables them to participate, influence and succeed in a changing world.
Thank you.

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