Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
255. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if discussions are expected regarding physical education becoming an optional exam leaving certificate subject in all secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47204/21]
View answerAt Senior Cycle, PE is currently available through both the optional examinable subject, Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) and the non-examinable Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) Framework.
The examinable LCPE subject was introduced to 64 schools as part of the phase 1 introduction of the subject from September 2018. From September 2020, any school that wishes to offer LCPE is able to do so. 194 schools have opted to offer the subject for the first time from this date. LCPE is designed to be taught in a minimum of 180 hours across 5th and 6th year.
A Framework for Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) has been published by my Department and is designed to support teachers in planning quality learning in Physical Education for all students in Senior Cycle. The non-examinable Framework will assist schools in designing a physical education programme for senior cycle students, including students who do or do not elect to take Physical Education as a subject for their Leaving Certificate examination. From September 2020, the new Framework replaced the existing guidelines for PE at senior cycle. All students in Senior Cycle should be studying SCPE. However, if a student is studying the optional LCPE specification, they are not required to also study the SCPE Framework, although this is not prohibited.
