Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
150 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools that will be offering the SPHE programme to all students from September 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21030/04]
View answer151 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of secondary schools that will be offering the SPHE programme from September 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
The course in social, personal and health education, SPHE, at junior cycle was introduced to schools on a phased basis over three years with effect from September 2000. All second level schools must have SPHE as part of the junior cycle core curriculum from September 2003. An SPHE syllabus for use at senior cycle level is in preparation by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
From September 2003, all primary schools began implementing SPHE, in accordance with the primary curriculum, 1999, implementation programme. The primary curriculum support service, which organises in-service for teachers to support the implementation of the 1999 curriculum, has provided comprehensive in-career development programmes for all teachers in SPHE.
