Written Answers. - Physical Education Facilities.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
329
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if he will give details of his Department's plan to improve the level of participation in sport in schools throughout the country; and the arrangements he has put in place to ensure that the benefits of the programme will not be confined to the activities of a small number of sports bodies.
[17570/00]
There are two facets to the provision made for physical activity in our education system. These are: (1) the formal physical education curricula at both primary and post-primary levels; and (2) the co-curricular sports programmes. There are clear links between these two elements as the co-curricular sports programme relies on implementing the skills, understanding and attitudes developed within the formal curricular time.
In primary schools, it is recommended that a minimum of one hour per week should be allocated to physical education. It is further envis aged that an appropriate proportion of the discretionary curriculum time of one hour per week for infant classes and two hours per week for classes I to VI would be devoted to the teaching of physical education, as circumstances may warrant. As part of the revised primary school curriculum – 1999 – all teachers in national schools were issued with a new programme in physical education at the start of the current school-year. This is set out in the form of 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.
At post-primary level, the NCCA is finalising new syllabi at junior and senior cycle levels. It is recommended that junior cycle students should have two hours per week of physical education. By 2001, there will an opportunity to study the subject for the leaving certificate. Students who select this course will study the subject for up to three hours per week. Teacher guidelines have been produced to support the implementation of the junior cycle programme. A programme will shortly be put in place for the implementation of the revised syllabi at both junior and senior cycles.
I recently announced a new scheme of grants for primary schools for the development of sports and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. At an initial cost of £2 million per annum, the scheme will involve an annual grant of £1,000 for each primary school in a disadvantaged area and £500 for all other primary schools. This grant will be used for coaching, mentoring and equipment. Detailed information on the new scheme will be sent to all primary schools at the beginning of the next school year.
I am also appointing a new national sport co-ordinator for primary schools. The national co-ordinator, assisted by a number of assistant co-ordinators, will have the brief of raising the awareness of sports and healthy lifestyles throughout our schools nationally. I am establishing a national steering group to oversee this project. Charlie Redmond has accepted my invitation to chair this group.
As regards the linking of the formal physical education curricula with sports programmes, my Department is in on-going contact with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and with the Irish Sports Council. At present, there are two projects in place in which there is joint involvement. The school sport project is an initiative designed to put in place a common training programme for teachers and coaches who are working with school children. This project is being co-ordinated by the National Coaching and Training Centre. The top sport project aims to investigate the provision of a broad-based activity experience for children in a non-competitive environment. It is designed to introduce the core skills and fun sport to children of primary age through the provision of training, child-friendly equipment and resource cards.
