The first phase of the delivery of inservice training to teachers for the revised leaving certificate history and geography syllabi took place in the period February to March 2004. In excess of 1,300 history teachers and 1,800 geography teachers received one day of training in this phase. In the 2004-05 school year, it is envisaged that two further phases of inservice training will take place, one day in the 2004 autumn term and a further day in the in the 2005 spring term.
I am satisfied that the provision of inservice support for both the revised history and geography syllabi is appropriate. Evaluations have shown substantial satisfaction with the inservice sessions as presented by the support service teams for the subjects. In addition to the three days' inservice training being provided, the support services are working to maximise the use of new technologies in the teaching of the subjects. This includes the development of websites that are being designed in collaboration with the NCTE and which will provide access to additional on-line support and materials. The inservice training in both history and geography is being scheduled in conjunction with the introduction of the new syllabi in the classroom to best support implementation.