School Curriculum

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Questions (283)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

283. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if self-defence classes will be added to the school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5631/22]

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Written answers

Self-defence classes do not form any part of the Physical Education (PE) curriculum. Schools may offer a module of Martial Arts, with an external or internal, qualified instructor, in addition to Physical Education lessons.

Choices regarding educational services are made by individual schools and their boards of management, not by the Department. Schools are free to choose whatever resources they feel supports the delivery of the curriculum in their school. My Department provides clear guidance to schools on the engagement of outside speakers and on the use of external resources to assist in delivering the curriculum. These guidelines are most recently outlined in updated circular 0042/2018 for primary schools and 0043/2018 for post primary schools. Where an external facilitator is engaged by a school, he or she should be engaged in the context of delivering a planned and comprehensive programme in the school. He or she should not be brought in to replace the school programme but to enhance it.

Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in post-primary junior cycle. In SPHE, students have opportunities to explore different themes which focus on developing self-awareness and respect for others, and the skills of self-management, communication, coping, decision-making and relating to others.

At primary level, the Stay Safe Programme is a mandatory part of the SPHE programme. The programme seeks to enhance children’s self-protective skills by participation in lessons on safe and unsafe situations, bullying, inappropriate touch, secrets, telling and stranger danger. The primary SPHE programme as a whole is also due to be updated by the NCCA as part of the work resulting from the NCCA’s review of RSE provision in schools.