ABSTRACT
The main feature which characterised the changes in the curriculum pattern of the schools was the expansion of that part of the fourth and fifth year core curriculum which is known as Preparation for Life (PFL). This chapter examines the range of topics which are taught under this rubric. It summarises the PFL core provision of each school for that year. Each teacher completed the checklist in the light of the teaching covered in both the fourth and fifth years in 1979/80. The checklist consisted of 46 items falling under one of six main sections: pre-employment; aspects of employment/adult life; aspects of industry/commerce; aspects of economics/politics; general personal issues; and social/community issues. Some aspects of PFL are also incidentally incorporated into certain option subjects taken by some rather than all pupils of a year group. However it is perhaps reasonable to suppose that the main coordinated thrust in PFL will occur within the core curriculum.
