The Junior Certificate School Programme is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and Science and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. It originated in the early school leavers’ programmes initiated by the Curriculum Development Unit. Currently the programme is operating in over 240 schools throughout the country. The Co-ordinator for 2013/2014 is Ms. B. Hearne.
The Junior Certificate School Programme aims to provide a curriculum framework that assists schools and teachers in making the Junior Certificate more accessible to those young people who may leave school without formal qualifications. It attempts to help young people experience success and develop a positive self-image by providing a curriculum and assessment framework suitable to their needs. On completion of the programme students receive a profile which is an official record of their achievements from the Department of Education and Science.
As outlined in the RCS Junior Certificate School’s Programme Policy, the main aims of the programme are to promote:
- Competency in literacy, numeracy and language skills
- Awareness of moral values and the expectations of society
- An awareness of the school community and foster a collaborative approach to success in education.