Guidelines for Primary Teachers 

The Timetable for the Changeover 

The single currency, the euro, came into being on 1st January 1999. On that date the value of the Irish pound {and of the currencies of the other EU member states participating in Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)} was permanently fixed against the euro. From then the euro is useable for cashless transactions (eg. cheques, credit transfers). Euro notes and coins are not yet available, so Irish pound notes and coins will continue in use during what is called the transitional period, which runs from 1st January 1999 to 1st January 2002. On 1st January 2002, euro notes and coins will be put into circulation and Irish pound notes and coins will begin to be withdrawn; within six months at most (and probably a good deal earlier), the changeover to the euro will be complete. 

Scope for preparatory work 

Although euro notes and coins will not be available until January 2002, there is scope for preparatory work to be undertaken in the period before their introduction. A suggested framework might be based on the following: 

"Me" 

Particularly as 1st January 2002 approaches, there will be increasing references to the euro in news media, advertising, television programmes etc. Dual pricing will be widespread in the run-up to 1 January 2002 and young students will need to be aware of the changeover process and the value of the euro in Irish pound terms. 

"My family" 

The impact of the changeover to the euro on the family of the student can also be discussed. During 1999, ESB, Telecom Éireann and Bord Gáis bills will begin to show total amounts in both the Irish pound and euro, for information purposes. It is likely that payslips will increasingly begin to show net pay in both currencies. In the periods just before school holidays, the impact of the euro on currency exchange transactions and on convenience of travel to/holidays in other "euro" countries can be discussed and explained.

"My locality/Country" 

The introduction of the euro can be explained to young students as being a continuation of the European process of co-operation and economic integration. Students could be encouraged to look at a map of the EU and identify which Member States will be in EMU.

At the more senior level in primary schools there is ample scope and need for specific reference to the euro and its impact of the economic life of the students, their families and the country. Within the current curriculum there are opportunities for teachers to cover aspects of the forthcoming changes with their classes/groups. The following could serve as a starting-off point for a number of relevant subject areas: 

• Mathematics - the introduction of the euro could be an opportunity for teachers to revisit the decimal system and to go through with students the process of converting amounts from euro to Irish pounds and vice versa. 
• Economics - the evolution of money from the barter system to the introduction of coins, and later, notes would be an interesting topic for older classes. The banking and finance system in Ireland could be touched upon. The period of non-cash euro before the introduction of euro notes and coins on 1st January 2002 could be outlined. 
• Art - The designs of the euro notes and coins could be discussed, and why the designs were selected could be debated. 
• History - The changeover is an opportunity to cover the EU in general and its impact on national issues. It represents a further stage on the path towards greater economic unity. The balance between national and EU identity could be debated. 
• Local Studies - Coins are made from metal and this gives rise to issues related to mining. Where schools are close to mines e.g. Silvermines, Avoca, Mayo etc. the impact of the mines on the local economy and lifestyle could form part of a local studies project. 
• Information Technology - A possibility here would be to set up a spreadsheet which could serve as a conversion calculator between the euro and the Irish pound (and between the euro and other participating currencies). In this way, the power and versatility of the spreadsheet could be displayed in a practical way to the pupils. 
• Technology - The new coins and notes will require changes to many of the machines which help modern society to function. Among these will be bank and building society ATM machines, vending machines and coin operated telephones. The issues arising in such changes, the extent of use of such machines etc. could be discussed. 

In general, it is suggested that the school community should increasingly incorporate the changes into school life by, for example, showing prices of books, uniforms, meals, excursions etc. in euro for illustrative purposes. The availability of the internet in all primary schools in the near future will give teachers and students access to appropriate sites for information and background. A worksheet for senior classes covering questions on the broad elements related to the changeover is included in this website. 

All relevant in-career programmes, under the aegis of the In Career Development Unit of the Department of Education and Science, in respect of the introduction of the revised curriculum will include specific reference to the new currency.