Richard Bruton
Question:939 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is an assigned number of hours for music in the recommended timetable at primary and secondary level. [2179/98]
Written Answers. - Music Education.
In primary schools 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 primary curriculum is adequately dealt with in all classes. The time recommended for the teaching of music is approximately one hour per week.
It should be noted that the time spent on the different aspects of the primary curriculum would vary somewhat between pupils in junior classes and those in senior classes.
In second level schools, the minimum recommended timetable requirement is three forty-minute class periods per week in each of the three years of the junior cycle. In the case of leaving certificate music, it is recommended that not less than three hours per week be made available in each of the two leaving certificate years.
Richard Bruton
Question:940 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of schools at primary and secondary level which are in a position to offer music as part of the curriculum. [2180/98]
Music forms part of the curriculum in primary schools as laid out in the primary school curriculum handbook. All primary schools offer music as a subject to be taken by all pupils.
Curricular provision in second level schools is a matter for each school authority, subject to the requirements of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools. The numbers and proportions of second level schools which indicate that they include music in their curriculum are as follows:
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
Junior Cycle 439 |
57 per cent |
|
Senior Cycle 338 |
44 per cent |