Case Study 3
(Post Primary – Transition Year)
Background Information
KADE (Kerry Action for Development Education) has been working within the formal
education system for the past 19 years, helping teachers to integrate DE into their day to
day work. This academic year KADE worked with two Transition Year classes in two different
schools. This example is from one of these two schools.
Contact name and email address: Nogugu Mafu (Former Education Officer);
Mary McGillicuddy (Coordinator), coordinator@kade.ie
Name of Organisation: Kerry Action for Development Education (KADE)
County: Kerry
Class/Age/Educational setting: Religion/15 to 16-year-olds/Transition Year
Describe what happened
One group consisted of a Transition Year class of 13 students. The school allocated KADE
four double RE periods for a DE ‘project’. Students were introduced to DE using the theme
of the UN Millennium Development Goals. During the first double period, KADE project
workers carried out a baseline survey to assess the level of knowledge students already had
about global and social justice issues. The class was then introduced to the UN Millennium
Development Goals using activities from DICE – Pathways for Teaching the MDGs.
The remaining three double class periods were used by students to carry out project work.
This involved students working in small groups of three/four. Each group picked a topic that
reflected one of the MDGs and researched more about the topic, focusing on a country in
the developing world and making a comparison with Ireland. KADE project workers provided
learning materials and guided students through various relevant DE websites where they
would get information, e.g., Trócaire, 80:20, developmenteducation.ie etc.
Students selected three main themes, Gender, Education and Climate Change.
Why do you consider this good practice?
The teacher was actively involved and guided students throughout their project work. She
also helped students with ideas about different ways they could present their projects to
other classes as a way of sharing what they learned. Students used drama, song and poetry
to share their learning creatively