Vol. 553 No. 6
68 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he intends to ensure that all second level schools can provide the three core science subjects of chemistry, physics and biology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/02]
In the junior cycle the three science subjects, chemistry, physics and biology, are combined in one junior certificate subject, science. Virtually all second level schools offer science to their students. In senior cycle provisional data for the current school year indicates that 96.6% of schools provide biology, while 75.1% provide chemistry and 78.7% provide physics.
My Department has an ongoing programme of school building and development, including laboratory provision. Schools that currently have a capital project in architectural planning will have their science laboratories upgraded as an integral element of the capital project.
In addition to providing laboratory space, my Department also provides grants towards the purchase of equipment. As part of the physical sciences initiative, initiated in 1999 and currently being implemented by my Department, schools have received grants in excess of €13,000 towards the purchase of laboratory equipment, including ICT equipment. These grants are in addition to annual per capita grants that are made available to schools.
The task force on the physical sciences was set up in the autumn of 2000 to examine all issues related to the low take-up rates in the physical sciences, including provision. Earlier this year it prepared a report which has now been circulated for consultation. The consultation period extends to 1 September. At that stage my Department will initiate an implementation process based on the recommendations contained in the report and on submissions received.
Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 56.
