Deirdre Clune
Question:153 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to review the resources provided for the development of science subjects in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3345/00]
Written Answers. - Science Programme.
All teachers in primary schools were issued with a new programme in science in September 1999 as part of a revised primary curriculum. This programme is set out in two booklets, a curriculum statement, incorporating the aims, objectives and content for each class level, and guidelines for teachers on the teaching of the subject.
The implementation of the revised curriculum will be on a phased basis over four to five years and will be supported by a comprehensive programme of in-career professional development for teachers. It is planned that in-career professional development in science will form part of the ongoing primary curriculum support programme in the next school year, 2000-01.
In order to encourage schools to incorporate science in their curriculum, my Department last year announced a new grants scheme for the teaching of science in primary schools. These grants were paid out in October 1999 and amounted in total to approximately £1.75 million. The size of grant varied with the size of school: schools of less than 50 pupils received £400 while schools of more than 500 pupils were paid £1,000.
At second level, a survey of the existing provision in school laboratories has already been carried out by my Department. The purpose of this survey was to establish the level of resources required to bring the basic level of facilities in all our school laboratories up to an agreed standard and to provide a basis for allocating resources to individual schools. An analysis of the data obtained from this survey is ongoing. When this analysis is complete resources will be allocated to target identified needs.
Proposals are currently being drawn up to provide a PC, printer and relevant software to each school specifically for use in the teaching of the sciences.
Starting in the current school year, a special annual per capita grant of £10 is being paid for each pupil studying one of the physical science subjects for leaving certificate. This grant is intended to provide for the purchase and maintenance of basic science teaching equipment.
I am confident that the survey of laboratory resources will yield significant data on the current level of provision and so will result in the most efficient targeting of the substantial resources by my Department to the development of the physical sciences.