Vol. 518 No. 4
36 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the discussions, if any, his officials have had with the Department of the Environment and Local Government with regard to the introduction of a new road safety element to the school syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11763/00]
The discussions which have taken place with regard to road safety matters in the school syllabus have been between officers of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the National Safety Council. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is the body which advises me and my Department on curriculum matters. The National Safety Council is a body established, under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971, and supported by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Irish Insurance Federation.
Specifically, the consultations, to date, have been concerned with the production, by the National Safety Council, of a resource pack for primary teachers and schools aimed at supporting the introduction of social, personal and health education as part of the revised curriculum for primary schools. This resource pack, entitled Be Safe, has been produced by the National Safety Council, with the co-operation of West Dublin Education Centre, to support teachers in developing the SPHE strand concerned with safety and protection and related issues, including road safety.
Discussions have commenced between officials of my Department and the National Safety Council on issues concerning the introduction of Be Safe to all primary schools early in the next school year, 2000-01. The use of the National Safety Council resource pack by teachers will be included in the in-career development support provided for teachers as part of the introduction of the revised curriculum for primary schools. My Department will co-operate with the National Safety Council in encouraging teachers in using the resource provided.
It is envisaged that the introduction of social, personal and health education to the curriculum at the junior cycle at post-primary level will be initiated in the near future. It is anticipated that the NCCA and my Department will have further discussions with the National Safety Council about the various safety issues, including road safety, which will form a part of the syllabus for SPHE at that level.
