Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Curriculum.

Finian McGrath

Question:

198 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is correct that physical education is being squeezed out of the curriculum as this could lead to a generation of children that are not fit and healthy; and the steps he intends to take to stop this decline in active games. [10138/03]

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

The policy of my Department is to provide for the delivery of a broad and balanced physical education curriculum at primary and post primary levels.

The primary school curriculum was revised in 1999. Physical education was included in this process of revision and forms part of the prescribed curriculum for primary schools. The curriculum and its accompanying teacher guidelines are designed to ensure that children experience a broad and balanced programme across the strands of the curriculum.

Schools at second level must offer a physical education programme. At second level, a new curriculum, incorporating sport, will be phased in from September of this year. Revised syllabuses for physical education for junior cycle, senior cycle and leaving certificate have been completed and these are to be introduced into schools on a phased basis from September 2003. Initially, the junior cycle syllabus will be introduced in 200 schools from September 2003 and the remaining schools will participate on a phased basis over the following two years. It is planned to introduce the senior cycle non-examination programme into schools from September 2004 while the syllabus for the leaving certificate examination programme is expected to be introduced on a pilot basis from September 2005.