Vol. 474 No. 2
73 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education the number and location of in-service courses for music which have been or are available in 1996-97 for both primary and secondary music teachers; and if she will make a statement on her views on in-service training generally. [2663/97]
Arising from the introduction of a revised syllabus for leaving certificate music, a major programme of in-service training for teachers of leaving certificate music is under way. Four full-time trainers have been appointed with effect from September 1996. The inservice programme, which is being co-ordinated by the Waterford Education Centre, is being delivered in a number of ways as follows: visits to schools by the trainers — approximately 200 schools nationally have been visited to date and further visits are planned in 1997; courses in several aspects of the new syllabus will be delivered in various centres throughout the country in 1997; organisation by the trainers of networking of music teachers in a town or geographic area. Networks have been established in 30 areas throughout the country; and a telephone/fax service to answer teachers' and principals' queries.
In addition to the leaving certificate in-service programme, my Department's in-career development unit has funded a range of other courses for music teachers in 1996-97. These include two weekend courses in Limerick in 1996 and courses run by the Kodaly Society of Ireland, including the International Kodaly Music course during the first two weeks of July which was attended by both primary and post-primary teachers. A further two Kodaly courses have been approved for 1997.
The in-career development unit also approved approximately eighty primary in-service courses during 1996. These ranged from applications received from individual schools, groups, summer courses and activity organised by education centres in Cork, Cavan, Carrick-on-Shannon, Galway and west Dublin. Cumann Náisiúnta na gCór was supported in the provision of a programme of courses in Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Portlaoise and Cork. A total of 28 approved music summer courses took place in various centres throughout the country. Applications for the 1997 primary in-career summer programme have been invited from course providers.
I am confident that the courses and other supports which I have put in place will meet the necessary in-career development needs of teachers of music.
