Vol. 486 No. 1
864 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date on the implementation of the education related recommendations in the second report of the ministerial committee to reduce the demand for drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1438/98]
My Department is continuing the development of education and awareness initiatives for schools in the general context of education for the prevention of substance misuse.
At the primary school level, the educational resource materials, which were drafted and pilot tested in 26 primary schools during the school year 1996-97, are being introduced during the current school year, 1997-98, to the primary schools in the 13 priority areas where there are local drugs task forces. There is associated and substantial inservice training for the teachers in the schools to which these materials are being made available. Each course lasts for 30 hours. A total of 12 such courses has been organised so far. In order to accelerate the training programme, six teacher trainers are being recruited at present.
The educational resource materials for teachers will be revised next summer, in the light of experience of their use, and will be available to primary schools generally after that.
Information and awareness booklets for schools and parents were drafted and were made available, on a trial basis, to approximately 100 primary schools during the first term of the current school year, 1997-98. These are being revised at present and will be made available generally later this year when the revision is completed.
At post primary level, the substance misuse prevention programme, "On My Own Two Feet" continues to be supported through the provision of inservice training for teachers. A total of 17 training courses, each lasting 50 hours, is being organised during the current school year, 1997-98, in support of teachers implementing the programme.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, has been asked to provide guidance on the introduction of social, personal and health education, SPHE, as part of the core curriculum in all schools, at both levels. Substance misuse prevention education will be included as part of the subject SPHE. I expect to receive the NCCA report on the primary sector very shortly, and on the postprimary sector before the end of the school year.
I intend to ensure that issues which concern and touch young people in a personal way, including especially the pressure to use various drugs, will be dealt with as part of the core curriculum in all schools. I recognise, as well, that school principals have been most co-operative to date in both the development of the particular initiatives I have mentioned and in introducing programmes in their schools. Support for principals and schools in organising the provision will be a priority.
In the non-formal education sector, the Deputy will be aware the Government has agreed to the establishment of a youth services development fund of £30 million for the period 1998-2000 to support a variety of capital and non-capital projects in disadvantaged areas to assist young people through the provision of services and facilities.
