Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
269. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for the review of junior cycle social, personal and health education courses to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social, Personal and Health Education, SPHE, curriculum is mandatory at primary level and up to junior cycle at post-primary level. A Framework for SPHE at Senior Cycle is also available to schools. The SPHE curriculum aims to provide a range of diverse and inclusive skills such as communicating, making decisions, knowing where to find reliable data, belonging and integrating, handling conflict constructively, dealing with bullying, expressing feelings and emotions, substance abuse, resisting peer pressure, personal safety, values and mutual respect.
As part of the new Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) a new short course in SPHE was developed by the NCCA and now available to schools. This short course is available in addition to the existing SPHE curriculum.
The Framework for Junior Cycle additionally provides for a new area of learning at junior cycle called Wellbeing. Wellbeing crosses the three years of junior cycle and build on substantial work already taking place in schools in support of students’ wellbeing. This area of learning includes learning opportunities to enhance the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students. SPHE along with PE and CSPE forms a core part of the new Wellbeing Programme. The junior cycle Wellbeing programme begins with 300 hours of timetabled engagement and will build up to 400 hours by 2020 as the new junior cycle is implemented fully in schools.
