Board of Education (R.O.I.)22 Sep 14

Statement from the Board of Education (RoI) on the Inclusion of Farm Safety on the Primary Level Curriculum

The Board of Education of the Church of Ireland (RoI) wishes to support the suggestion made recently by the President of ICSA (the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association), Mr Patrick Kent, for health and safety education to be included in the primary school curriculum, with a particular emphasis on farm safety for children in rural areas.

This matter is of concern to all of those involved in farming and is of particular concern to the Church of Ireland community given that a significant number of its members are engaged in farming. The number of deaths on farms due accidental health and safety related incidents in recent months and years displays the absolute need for greater awareness among children and young people of the dangers on farms and from farming equipment.

While it is realised that the primary level curriculum contains a great many elements, the Board is nonetheless of the view that it would be beneficial for the NCCA to give close consideration to the highlighting of farm safety given the frequent references to farm animals, farmyards and farm life in the primary level curriculum and popular school textbooks.