asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the Government's policy to provide equal educational opportunities for girls and boys she will indicate the measures open to a school wishing to implement this policy where such a school is seriously disadvantaged in its provision of facilities for girls and are anxious to repair this omission as soon as possible; if she will positively entertain representations from such schools where such specific needs for girls' facilities are identified, the specific provision of funds, if any, being made available for the provision of such facilities in line with her own commitments in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Equal Educational Opportunities.
160.
My Department have been encouraging schools to provide equality of educational opportunity to girls and boys. Principals of co-educational schools are encouraged to operate them on a fully co-educational basis by offering subjects to pupils without categorisation and to foster actively non-traditional subject take-up by girls. Indeed, it is a source of concern to me that where girls have opportunities to study subjects such as physics, higher level mathematics, engineering, construction studies and technical drawing, only a relatively small number do so, presumably due to factors such as societal attitudes, parental expectations and peer pressures. Single sex girls' schools which lack physical facilities to offer instruction in non-traditional subjects such as woodwork, technical drawing, etc., are encouraged to co-operate with schools in their vicinity and to have shared use of specialised facilities. The school inspectorate is available to offer advice to schools who wish to amend their subject options, to improve their curricular balance and to make optimum use of their existing resources. Where resources are considered inadequate, sympathetic consideration will be given by my Department to any representations from school authorities. It is open to the authorities of any school to put proposals to the Department for the provision of improved facilities and accommodation. All proposals will be considered on their merits.