Vol. 397 No. 5
159 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education the subjects which must be taught in secondary schools; if she will outline the minimum range of subjects required to be taught; and if she will explain the status of: (a) home economics (b) physical education (c) woodwork (d) music and (e) career guidance, in the area of secondary education.
Section IV (Rule Number 20 to 23) of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools contains the details on the school curriculum and courses of instruction. Rule 20 states:
The curriculum of a secondary school must include instruction in a syllabus approved by the Minister in the following subjects:—
A — Irish
B — English
C — History and Geography
D — Mathematics
E — Science; or a language other than Irish and English; or Commerce; or a subject of the Business Studies Group
F — Civics
Physical education should form part of the curriculum. The programme should be based on the approved syllabus and teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable.
The curriculum should also include provision for singing. The provision made for singing should be included in the school timetable.
Home economics and music are optional subjects on the approved course for both junior cycle and senior cycle pupils. Woodwork at junior cycle and construction studies, the corresponding subject at senior cycle, are optional subjects. Physical education is a non-examination subject for which there is a syllabus designed to cater for pupils following a full post-primary programme.
