Vol. 518 No. 4
129 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made with regard to the promised new drugs prevention programme for all primary schools; the staff, finance and resources which will be allocated for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/00]
The substance misuse prevention education programme, Walk Tall, for primary schools was developed by my Department in consultation with the partners in education and other relevant interests and its use was pilot tested in a small number of primary schools prior to the end of 1998. The dissemination of the programme to primary schools began in early 1999.
The programme is being introduced to schools as staff seminars are organised for the teachers in each school. Walk Tall has been introduced to approximately 1,870 primary schools now. The intention is to introduce the programme to all primary schools over a two year period. The progress of the dissemination will be further reviewed in mid-May.
In addition to the one-day seminars for school staffs, courses for teachers of 30 hours duration on implementing the programme have commenced. Twenty-seven of these courses have been, or are being held at present. It is intended that this training will be integrated in due course with the in-service support to be provided for the introduction of social, personal and health education, SPHE, as part of the revised curriculum for primary schools.
A support team has been put in place for the dissemination process. This team consists of a national project officer and six teacher trainers. The team organises the staff training seminars and the longer courses. The administrative support for the dissemination is located in West Dublin Education Centre.
The financial support for the introduction of Walk Tall was £0.5 million in 1999 and a further £0.5 million is provided this year. The supporting educational resource materials are provided free to schools as they participate in the dissemination seminars. The overall cost of preparation, design and printing of these materials was £142,000.
