A west Roscommon principal is welcoming the revised curriculum framework for primary schools.
Education Minister Norma Foley has set out the first changes to the syllabus in almost 25 years.
These will include children learning a foreign language for an hour a week after third class, with a greater focus on wellbeing and the arts.
More time will also be dedicated to science, technology, engineering and maths education.
Noel Loftus at St. Attracta's National School in Ballaghaderreen says the proposed new curriculum is catching up to where schools are at.
He says many teachers have been innovative over the last decade to bring about change.
'I believe as principal of the school that the curriculum has to reflect where we are at at the moment in society because we want to prepare our children for that society.
The curriculum has another big job to do that it is to look to the years ahead.
It is all very exciting these announcements but it is up to schools and parents and the Department of Education to work together to make this a reality.'
