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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 1

Written Answers. - Primary School Curriculum.

Richard Bruton

Question:

232 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will undertake a survey of primary schools to establish the extent to which science is being introduced; and the way in which schools which have not decided to introduce science are able to draw down grant aid for the purpose. [5558/00]

All teachers in primary schools were issued with a new programme in science in September 1999 as part of the introduction of the revised curriculum. The 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 new science programme comprises four interlinked strands, namely, living things, energy and forces, materials and environmental care.

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. The expectation is that most schools will choose to follow the sequence of subject-areas followed in the in-career development programme from year to year. 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. However schools will be free to introduce subject areas as they see fit, taking account of the expertise and interests of their staffs.

To encourage schools to incorporate science in their curriculum, schools were issued with grants in October 1999 to assist them with the purchase of science teaching equipment and materials. These grants amounted in total to approximately £1.75 million. The size of grant varied with the size of school: however a minimum grant of £400 was paid to schools of less than 50 pupils while schools of more than 500 pupils received the maximum grant of £1,000. A circular that was issued at that time indicated the types of equipment and materials that the grant could be expended upon. Schools are required to keep a record of all equipment purchased with the grant, and may carry forward the unexpended amount to meet later needs.
It is not possible at present to quantify the number of primary schools that offer science as a formal module of the curriculum. There is no doubt, however, that their number will continue to grow as teachers become more familiar with the contents of the revised curriculum statements and guidelines and as more and more teachers are given the opportunity of attending in-career development seminars in the subject during the next school year.
As part of the in-career development programme all schools will be asked to identify the elements of science currently being taught with a view to planning for full implementation of the science module of the curriculum. This obviates the need for a separate survey at this time.
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