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Teacher Training Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019

Friday, 6 September 2019

Ceisteanna (287)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

287. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the participation level in in-service training for the human and cultural diversity aspect of the social personal and health education curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35184/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Teachers at primary and post primary level have access to a range of continuing professional development programmes and support (CPD) through the teacher support services funded by my Department. This support encompasses human and cultural diversity.

The overall remit of the Health and Wellbeing team within the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is to support management, teachers and schools in the development and promotion of students’ mental, emotional, social, sexual, personal and physical health and wellbeing in the context of a positive health-promoting school environment. This is enabled through the provision of a suite of CPD programmes and supports which are notified to schools annually.

Full details of participation levels in this programme of support during 2018/2019 are provided in the table.  

Support provided by the Junior Cycle for Teachers service (JCT)

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) have developed a short course in SPHE in the context of the new Framework for Junior Cycle (2015). Schools can implement this short course in the context of the development of their junior cycle programme. It is expected that more and more schools will introduce this short course as the new Framework embeds in schools. The short course (100 hours duration) adopts a learning outcomes approach which encompass the issues of human and cultural diversity.

Last year 206 teachers attended CPD workshops provided by JCT in relation to this new short course, while 205 teachers engaged in a dedicated online webinar provided by JCT on the short course. Currently, there are over 678 teachers registered with JCT to attend CPD on the new SPHE short course in 2019/2020 which represents a significant increase on 2018/2019 figures, indicating an increasing interest from schools in introducing the new short course.

All CPD programmes and supports provided by Department funded support services include provision for teaching and learning in the inclusive classroom through differentiated teaching methodologies. These programmes enable teachers to deal with the teaching and learning needs of all students from all cultural backgrounds and provide support for pedagogical practices that promote inclusion.

Primary Health and Wellbeing (Sept 2018 – June 2019)

Focus of CPD

Term

No. of teacher CPD interactions

No of Events

Primary Child Protection seminars

Term 1 & 2

1646

108 events

Physical Literacy Fundamental Movement Skills Day 2 seminars

Term 1

726

49 events

Teaching Gymnastics Skills in PE workshops

Term 1

207

17 events

Primary RSE seminars

Term 1 & 3

1173

56 events

Stay Safe workshops

Term 1

214

21 events

Teacher Wellbeing

Term 2

36

3 events

Primary PE Workshops- Folk Dance

Term 2

178

14 events

Primary PE Workshops-Gymnastics

Term 2

38

3 events

Primary SPHE & Visual Arts Seminars

Term 2

159

19 events

Internet Safety, Cyberbullying & Bullying Seminar

Term 2

404

20 Events

Physical Literacy (FMS) seminar 3

Term 2

1060

55 events

Primary PE Workshop- An Introduction to Physical Literacy

Term 3

148

16 events

Primary Internet Safety, Cyberbullying & Bullying Seminars

Term 3

141

8 events

Physical Literacy (FMS) Seminar 3

Term 3

248

15 events

Post-Primary Health and Well-Being(Sept 2018 – June 2019)

Focus of CPD

Term

No. of teacher CPD interactions

No of Events

Introduction to SPHE ( 2 day seminar)

Term 1 & 2

1117

64 events

Mental Health SPHE 1

Term 1 & 2

143

9 events

Mental Health SPHE 2

Term 2

72

7 events

Junior Cycle RSE ( 2 day seminar)

Term 1, 2 & 3

906

48 events

Child Protection Designated Liaison Person & Deputy Designated Liaison Person

Term 1, 2 & 3

157

12 events

Anti bullying :Cyber bullying and internet safety

Term 2

55

6 events

Gender & Sexual Orientation

Term 2

16

2 Events

Snr Cycle RSE ( 2 day Seminar)

Term 1 & 2

790

38 events

JNR Cycle Personal Safety

Term 3

23

2 events

Post Primary PE Olympic Handball Workshop

Term 1

209

15 events

LCPE PLC Meetings

Term 1

62

8 events

SCPE PLC Meetings

Term 1

40

7 events

LCPE Seminars

Term 1

190

3 events

SCPE Seminars

Term 1

40

1 event

LCPE PLC Meetings

Term 2

67

10 events

SCPE PLC Meetings

Term 2

35

7 events

LCPE Seminar Day 6+7

Term 2

128

4 events

SCPE Seminar Day 4

Term 2

37

2 events

Using Digital Technologies in PE Workshops

Term 2

190

16 events

PE Workshop The TPSR Model-2hr Workshop

Term 3

19

3 events

LCPE Day 8

Term 3

59

2 events

LCPE PLC Meeting’s

Term 3

13

2 events

The total number of health and wellbeing school support visits at primary level was 490 with 5384 teacher CPD interactions.

The total health and wellbeing school support visits at post primary level were 137 school visits, meeting 2221 teachers.

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