Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 16 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 3

Written Answers. - Promotion of Physical Education.

Mary Wallace

Question:

77 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the recognition there is within her Department for the promotion of physical education and games in community colleges under the auspices of vocational education committees; the funding made available to each vocational education committee for this purpose; and the funding made available for each of the years 1993, 1994 and 1995 to each vocational education committee.[3550/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Physical Education is recognised as a very important aspect of the school curriculum and many community colleges employ the services of qualified physical education teachers.

The existing physical education syllabus is currently under review by the subject course committee under the auspices of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The course committee is reviewing current practice in physical education and will make recommendations on syllabus guidelines as well as on modes and techniques of assessment.

The physical education programme in community colleges and other vocational education committee schools, which seeks to contribute to the pupils' development through the medium of physical activity is supported by a broad-based extracurricular sports programme.This extracurricular programme is recognised as a very important component in the education and personal development of the pupil. Many schools have a post of responsibility designated for the co-ordination of sports and games within the school. The curricular physical education programme is closely linked to the school's programme.

In addition to the pay costs, the Department allocates an annual block budget to each vocational education committee to cover the general running costs of the vocational education committee and its schools, including costs associated with subjects on the Department's school programme. It is a matter for each vocational education committee to allocate its budget as it sees fit and in the best interests of its schools and pupils. My Department has no details of the amounts allocated by each vocational education committee to physical education and games activities.