Physical education is part of the prescribed curriculum for primary schools.
Second level schools should offer a physical education programme based on an approved syllabus with teaching hours registered on the school timetable. At second level, the phasing in of a revised syllabus at junior cycle level for physical education, non-examination, commenced in September 2003.
In the current year, the focus of curricular reform is on the implementation of the revised leaving certificate syllabi in history and geography which will be due for first examination in 2006, as part of the ongoing reform of existing subjects. Progress has not been made in regard to a time frame for the implementation of new examinable subjects. This issue will be kept under review in the context of the overall proposals for reform of senior cycle education.