Vol. 562 No. 1
341 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an urgent need for mathematics and language support teachers across primary schools, and also during first year in secondary schools; and his proposals to deal with this problem. [5575/03]
The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The number of mainstream teaching posts sanctioned is determined by reference to a staffing schedule which is finalised for a particular school year following discussions with the education partners. The provision of additional teaching posts in primary schools in recent years, approximately 2,900 since 1997, has allowed for a reduction in class sizes, the allocation of additional learning support teachers, the allocation of teaching posts to schools where 13 or more pupils with significant English language deficits are identified and the allocation of resource teacher posts to either individual schools or clusters of schools where needs are identified.
A revised primary curriculum was sent to schools in 1999. This curriculum was designed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment taking into account the most recent findings on the content and methodology in mathematics and language programmes throughout the world.
The curriculum in these two areas has already been introduced to schools under the primary curriculum support programme. Under this programme there are "cuiditheoirí" available to schools to advise and assist them in implementing the new curricula in these areas. The learning support service provides additional support for pupils who function at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of literacy or mathematics. My Department has published learning support guidelines for schools. Training for teachers in implementing these guidelines is being given under the primary curriculum support programme. These guidelines recommend that an individual profile and learning programme be prepared by teachers, in conjunction with parents, in respect of each child attending learning support. In cases where the assessed needs of individual pupils are greater than can be met by the learning support service then schools can apply for additional resource teaching hours and-or special needs assistant support.
At second level, my Department allocates additional teaching hours and-or special needs assistant support to pupils with an assessed need for these services.
342 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that honours Irish is not offered by schools in the Kilinarden area. [5576/03]
Under section 30 of the Education Act, the Minister for Education and Science may prescribe curricula and hours of instruction in schools. However, I have no role in the prescription of the level of courses of study for individual students in post-primary education. The curriculum of a secondary school, as set out in rules and programme for secondary schools, must include instruction in a syllabus approved by the Minister in a number of subjects, one of which is Irish. This applies to both junior and senior cycle pupils. However, the level of course offered within a school is a matter for the school authorities. The law guarantees, within certain bounds, the right of schools and their boards of management to manage their own affairs and to allocate resources in a manner best suited to the schools needs.
