Jimmy Deenihan
Question:112 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science his current and future proposals to promote physical education in primary and post primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15839/03]
Written Answers. - School Curriculum.
Physical education is part of the prescribed curriculum for primary schools, and schools at second level must offer a physical education programme. The focus in the physical education curriculum is on the child's holistic development, stressing personal and social development, physical growth, and motor development. Goal-setting, within the curriculum, focuses on individual improvement and not on winning or being the best.
At primary level, a revised curriculum in physical education was published as part of the primary school curriculum in 1999. A revised syllabus for physical education for junior cycle, as a non-examination subject, is being introduced to second level schools on a phased basis from September of this year. Initially, 200 schools will participate in this project with the remaining schools becoming involved over the following years. It is planned that the revised physical education syllabus for senior cycle, as a non-examination subject, will be introduced to schools on a phased basis from September 2004 and while the syllabus for leaving certificate, for examination, is expected to be introduced from September 2005.
In October 2000, my Department introduced an annual physical education grant for all primary schools. Since the introduction of the scheme, my Department provided in excess of €5.5 million in grant aid to primary schools under this scheme to enable schools to provide coaching or mentoring in connection with physical education or for the purchase of resource materials associated with the provision of physical education. Material and equipment purchased by schools in previous years will generally be still available to them for the current year. In 2002, primary schools designated as disadvantaged received a grant of €1,270 while other recognised primary schools received a grant of €635. Approximately €2.4 million was allocated to primary schools in 2002 under this scheme.
In the light of the current budgetary constraints, I decided to withdraw payment of the grant in 2003. I will keep the position under review for future years.