Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2004
262 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary teachers awaiting training in the new music curriculum and the number of trainers available to deliver the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3862/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproximately 26,000 primary teachers, full-time and part-time, will be involved in the teaching of the revised music curriculum at primary school. A team of trainers has been selected. The number on the team, 26, has been based on previous experience in the delivery of inservice. Training will be provided for all teachers.
This year, following a request from teachers' representatives, I announced a year of consolidation and review of areas of the curriculum that have already been introduced. It is planned that the in-career development programme for music will take place for all primary teachers in the school year 2004-05, and that teachers will begin to implement the programme during the following school year.
The selected trainers are planning their inservice programme, using the new methodologies in their own classrooms and sharing their experiences and expertise with their colleagues on the staff. The trainers also work closely with the education centre network in the provision of evening and summer courses.
