Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
163 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will report on the work of the primary schools sports initiative; her views on the conclusions reached from the sports pilot project; if she has received an update on the work of the initiative since its report to her in October 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23928/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary schools sports initiative, PSSI, was launched in 2001 and was tasked with advising the Minister for Education and Science on the promotion of sport, physical education and healthy lifestyles in primary schools with a view towards proposing ways in which participation in sport can be increased. The initiative also included the introduction of a pilot programme in physical education.
The outcome of the pilot project, which involved 27 schools, indicated that the PSSI assisted in providing a pupil centred skill development approach to the teaching of physical education in primary schools. An interim report was submitted to the Department in October 2001 and progress is being made in the presentation of a final report which will contribute to the development of suitable policies for the area of physical education and sport in general, in addition to the implementation of the revised curriculum for physical education at primary level.
In-service training in the revised physical education curriculum is currently being delivered to all primary school teachers through the primary curriculum support service and the delivery of this inservice has been informed by the work of the PSSI.
