Vol. 413 No. 9
262 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education his views on the concern of physical education teachers in relation to the low status of and poor facilities for physical education in our schools; if his Department have drafted a plan to improve the position on this subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Physical education forms part of the primary school curriculum. It is the responsibility of the principal teacher, in consultation with the school staff, to outline a plan of work for the school as a whole and to ensure that each area of the curriculum is adequately dealt with in all classes.
The Primary Curriculum Review Body made certain recommendations in regard to physical education. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which has been asked to advise in relation to curricular developments arising from the review body's report, will have regard to these recommendations.
The Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools state that physical education should form part of the curriculum and that the programme should be based on the approved syllabus. In the approved syllabus in physical education it states that a basic minimum of two hours per week is required to implement the programme.
Outdoor playing facilities have always been a feature of the general education provision in this country.
With regard to indoor facilities, in recent years it has been necessary to devote the available resources to the construction of the most urgently needed classroom accommodation. As a result, the building of general purpose rooms in primary schools has had to be deferred for the present. At post primary level, however, the plans for new schools and major extensions continue to include physical education halls with the intention that their general provision would resume as soon as resources permit. My Department encourage maximum co-operation between educational and community entities in the use of available resources, including sport and physical education facilities.
Further specific provision for physical education will be considered within the limits of the available capital and having regard to other commitments and priorities.
