In-service Training.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Questions (1339, 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1344)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1411 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of mathematics at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of mathematics at leaving certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of mathematics at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29932/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1412 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of physics at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of physics at leaving certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of physics at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29933/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1413 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of physics and chemistry at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of physics and chemistry at leaving certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of physics and chemistry at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29934/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1414 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of chemistry at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of chemistry at leaving certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of chemistry at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29935/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1415 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of biology at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of biology at leaving certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of biology at leaving certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29936/06]

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1416 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount expended on in-service training for teachers of science at junior certificate level for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of science at junior certificate level who received in-service training for each year since 2000; the number of teachers of science at junior certificate level for each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29937/06]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1411 to 1416, inclusive, together.

In-service training has been provided in recent years to support the introduction of new curricula in Junior Certificate Science and in Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The number of teachers who received training and amount of money expended on such training are included in the attached table. In relation to the expenditure, it should be noted that the table includes the direct costs of providing training which excludes the salaries of teachers seconded from schools to work on these in-service programmes. It is not possible to provide this information within the time-scale for the Deputy's questions but this information can be provided by my officials at a later stage directly to the Deputy if she requires it.

The statistics provided in respect of Physics, Chemistry and Biology refer in some cases to multiple in-service events held during the relevant year. The intensive phase of the Physics and Chemistry support programmes concluded in August 2003 at which time they came under the auspices of the SLSS (Second Level Support Service). The intensive phase of Biology was completed in August of 2004.

Rather than having separate training, all teachers of Physics/Chemistry are invited to attend the in-service programmes for both Physics and Chemistry.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to make proposals to me as a matter of priority for reform of the senior cycle Mathematics curriculum. Curricular changes in senior cycle Mathematics will be supported by in-service training. In-service training has been provided for Junior Certificate Maths.