Sir, – There has been a significant decrease in the take-up of geography in schools since the decision to remove geography from the Junior Cycle core curriculum while maintaining history. A ripple effect is in full swing.
In 2024, the number of students sitting the Junior Cycle rose to 72,828 – an increase of 8.5 per cent on 2022 (first post-Covid statistics). In 2022, 56,860 students sat Junior Cycle history, compared to 58,608 in geography. By 2024, the number taking history climbed to 70,930 – an increase of 24 per cent. However, the number taking geography rose to only 61,498, a nominal increase of 4.9 per cent. The increase in geography (4.9 per cent) is less than the increase in the Junior Cycle as a whole (8.5 per cent) and represents a relative decrease in the uptake of geography.
The situation at Leaving Certificate is alarming. In 2021, 24,378 students took Leaving Cert geography. In 2022, that number fell to 21,866 – a decrease of 10.5 per cent. However, this pales in comparison to 2024 when only 18,651 students sat Leaving Cert geography – a decrease of 23.5 per cent on the 2021 figures.
Arguments that teachers must “promote” their subject ignore the reality of managing schools.
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The absence of geography from the Junior Cycle core curriculum, and the timetabling and staffing management of schools, means that these figures will worsen over time.
The effects are also being felt at third level, with decreases in students taking geology and geography there. It is likely that there will be further effects on the economy and on society. Junior Cycle students are losing out on their entitlement to a geographical education.
Ignorance of issues and challenges in and arising from farming, manufacturing, tourism, population and migration, globalisation, the environment and climate change, among others, will increase and leave our children vulnerable to influence by those who would sow division in society. As a nation, we will be all the worse for it. – Yours, etc,
PETER LYDON,
President,
Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.