Vol. 406 No. 7
231 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the current state of the transition year option; the number and distribution of schools taking the option; her plans, if any, for in-service training for co-ordinators and teachers involved; and if she will lift the embargo on extension of the option to new schools.
The approval of my Department for a transition year option is confined to schools which fall into either of two categories: (a) those which had a four year junior cycle in the 1985-86 school year and (b) those which had a transition year course in the 1987-88 school year.
A total of 124 schools have been given approval to provide transition year programmes. A further 84 schools have the option of seeking approval. I am arranging to provide the Deputy with a list of the schools concerned.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment are at present considering the future structure of the senior cycle and will be making recommendations to me on it within a few months.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provides for the option of a six year cycle of post-primary education for all pupils commencing their post-primary cycle in 1991. The question of the transition year option will be considered in the context of decisions to be taken on the structure of the post-primary senior cycle. The question of any in-service training needs will also be considered in that context.
