Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 3

Written Answers. - Inservice Training.

Denis Naughten

Question:

185 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that no inservice training has been provided to teachers of the new home economics syllabus, he will defer its introduction until 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18467/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I previously indicated that the revised leaving certificate syllabus for home economics will be examined in 2004. Inservice training for teachers of the revised leaving certificate home economics syllabus has been in place since September 2001. A seven-member support service has planned and delivered a programme which is offered to all teachers. To date, 80% of all teachers of leaving certificate home economics have attended round one of the programme which ran from October to November 2001. So far, about 8% of teachers have attended round two which is running at present and will continue up to 22 November 2002.

This face-to-face delivery of inservice training was accompanied by the provision of teacher guidelines by the National Council for Curricu lum and Assessment, NCCA, and by the publishing by the support service of a booklet containing comprehensive guidelines for teachers on the planning, implementation and recording of exemplar course work assignments. Copies of the material used at rounds one and two of the inservice programme is available to teachers on request. In addition, I have asked my officials to ensure that, in the event that the ban is lifted, all necessary arrangements are in place to make up any ground lost by ASTI members either by way of inservice or professional support.