Vol. 521 No. 1
264 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the health education programme which is being offered to post-primary schools nation-wide through a partnership between his Department and the Department of Health and Children from September 2000. [16385/00]
My Department has approved the syllabus for social, personal and health education, SPHE, for the junior cycle of second level education, prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. It is planned that SPHE will be phased into the junior cycle curriculum over the next three years, beginning in September 2000.
The aims of SPHE are: to enable students to develop personal and social skills; to promote self esteem and self confidence; to enable students to develop a framework for responsible decision making; and to promote physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. Approximately 40% of second level schools have indicated that they either have already introduced this subject or plan to do so in September 2000.
A national co-ordinator and regional development officers are being recruited in support of this initiative which will be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Health and Children and the health boards. The Marino Institute of Education will co-operate in the introduction of SPHE and the national co-ordinator will be located in the institute. Regional development officers will be located in various regional centres throughout the country.
