Vol. 558 No. 2
149 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in resolving the issue of the new syllabus for leaving certificate home economics; if he will consider deferring the introduction of the new syllabus until next school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23936/02]
There have been repeated requests from teachers of home economics, both through the NCCA course committee and the Association of Teachers of Home Economics, to have the revised course implemented because the course offered until 2002 was in place for more than 30 years and was out of date.
Since 1 November 2002, the revised syllabus in home economics is the official syllabus and it is this revised syllabus that will be examined in June 2004. All examination papers must be set in accordance with the syllabus as indicated in Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools which is reissued on a yearly basis. The rules and programmes for the 2002-03 school year indicates that the home economics examination in 2004 will be based on the revised syllabus.
My decision to implement the revised syllabus from 1 November 2002 was notified to schools well in advance and any attempt to alter this decision would be most disruptive for schools and teachers who have already planned for and commenced its implementation. The barrier to participation by some teachers in in-service for the home economics syllabus has been removed as a result of the recent ballot conducted by the ASTI. My Department has already informed the school authorities that in-service will be provided over the next fortnight for those teachers who missed the recent in-service. My Department will also make arrangements to provide appropriate in-service for teachers who did not avail of in-service in the last school year.
In addition, a range of supports to teachers have been provided. These include curriculum guidelines, teachers notes and a website. Copies of textbooks based on the revised syllabus are also available.
