Vol. 501 No. 3
362 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the provision of in-service training for all post primary teachers in child abuse prevention programmes based on the model available to the primary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6031/99]
There are various programmes and initiatives, relevant to the issue raised by the Deputy, being implemented at post primary level. These include the health promoting school project and the substance abuse prevention programme, each of which includes extensive in-service training for teachers. This training is of direct relevance to the creation and maintenance of a safe environment for children and young people.
Training for relationships and sexuality education has been provided for post-primary teachers. As a further support, RSE resource materials for post-primary junior cycle have issued to schools and those for senior cycle are nearing completion.
The NCCA has recently completed a draft syllabus for post-primary junior cycle in social personal and health education – SPHE – which includes all the above mentioned programmes, particularly RSE. This syllabus is currently under consideration by the inspectorate of my Department. Further developments in the area of child abuse prevention in the post-primary area will be reviewed in the context of SPHE.
