Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
547 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will facilitate the inclusion of dance as part of the junior and leaving certificate syllabuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20555/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra551 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will facilitate the inclusion of dance as part of the junior and leaving certificate syllabuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20563/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 551 together.
At primary level, Physical Education is one of seven curriculum areas within the revised Primary School Curriculum which was introduced in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils. The curriculum has been structured so as to allow individual schools a high degree of flexibility and choice in the planning of a broad and balanced Physical Education programme for pupils, and includes six broad strands featuring Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities and Aquatics.
In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school plans and delivers should be based on my Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable.
A revised Physical Education programme in Physical Education as a non examination subject was introduced on a phased basis in 2003. The programme includes adventure activities, aquatics, athletics, dance, invasion games, net and fielding games, gymnastics and health related activity. In senior cycle, the physical education programme includes dance among the options which can be taken. It should also be noted that some 50% of the student cohort now takes the Transition Year Programme where planning and performing in a school musical, many of which include dance, is a popular option offered in schools.
In addition, students may choose Dance as one of the courses available within the Arts component of the Leaving Certificate Applied programme (LCA). The LCA is taken by some 7% of the student cohort and a maximum of 4 credits from a total of 200 credits in the assessment of the LCA is available for the Dance component. The LCA does not provide for direct entry into higher education, but students may progress to Post Leaving Certificate courses and from there to higher education.
My Department is faced with an extensive range of competing needs for investment in education, ranging from addressing educational disadvantage, inclusion of pupils with special needs and newcomer students, meeting the demands of a growing population, strengthening the mathematical, science, and technology aspects of provision, enhancing the professional development of teachers, investing in research and development and promoting second chance learning. Within that context, investment in mainstreaming of dance education as an option within Art in the established Leaving Certificate is not a priority at the current time.
