asked the Minister for Education the reason physical education is not included as an area of experience in phase I, II, III of the proposed plan at the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment for the implementation of the new junior cycle certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - New Junior Cycle Certificate.
87.
I am informed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment that the reason physical education is not included in any of the three phases of the council's proposed work plan is that the plan relates to the specific task of putting in place a unified system of assessment and certification to replace the existing day vocational (group) and intermediate certificate examinations. At this stage, therefore, the plan deals only with those subjects which are currently examined as part of the public examination system.
The council are considering the broader curricular issues of physical education in the school curriculum. An initial exploratory meeting with interested parties is scheduled by the council for later this month.