Vol. 481 No. 6
155 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will indicate the proportion of primary schools with school gardens where the basics of growing food or other plants are acquired by pupils; and the plans, if any, he has to assess this vital aspect of education and to promote it in the education system. [16781/97]
While the number of schools which have gardens is small, it is estimated that more than one third of primary school grounds have trees, shrubs, flowers and areas under grass. Pupils learn from involvement in planting and in taking care of these plants and areas. Many teachers involve the children in the cultivation of a variety of plants indoors. This work entails planting, observing and recording growth and other phenomena and keeping a written account of their activities.
The study of plant life is part of the environmental studies programme in the primary school curriculum. Department inspectors evaluate children's learning in this aspect of the programme during school visits. They encourage teachers to provide children with appropriate learning opportunities in this important area and they comment in their reports on the work being done and on its value. In-career development courses for teachers in environmental studies and in the particuar area of plant life have been recognised by my Department's In-career Development Unit.
I am pleased to acknowledge the part played by An Bord Glas through its Gort Project in encouraging the development of school gardens. Through the agency of the Blackrock Education Centre 150 schools were targeted for support and development in 1996. A further 150 schools are being supported in 1997. A programme of in-career development was organised in six locations for teachers from these schools.
