Vol. 571 No. 3
48 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if, and the way in which, he intends to have every post primary school up to a standard that it can implement the new junior certificate science syllabus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21561/03]
A revised syllabus for science at higher and ordinary levels is being introduced on an optional basis from September 2003 for examination in the junior certificate examination in 2006 and following years. My Department has issued a circular letter to all second level schools inviting them to opt in to implementing the revised syllabus from September 2003 and to apply for the accompanying once-off equipment-resource grant by completing the application form enclosed. Schools will only receive the additional resource grant on adopting the revised syllabus. Schools in the free education scheme which opt to provide the revised syllabus from September 2003 will be given a grant of €3,500 per laboratory if they have had a major capital upgrade or new facility since 1995, or if their existing facilities are adequate to deliver the present curriculum, or a higher rate of grant per laboratory, based on needs identified on foot of an itemised list set out in a spreadsheet which accompanied the circular letter to schools, where their existing resources are not adequate to deliver the current syllabus. The amount of this grant will vary, depending on the needs identified.
