Ms Maria Hickey:

In terms of the new junior cycle, we hope to move towards having a double class and a single class during the week as part of the allocation of 200 hours. In most schools the double class period is used to teach practical skills in the kitchen such as cookery skills. Textile studies is still part of the curriculum. The single class period is used to teach theory. Due to having an integrated skills approach, theory forms part of the practical class period but in general, kitchen time takes place during the double periods. One would be hoping for an hour and 20 minutes as one's cooking time. The practical examination lasts an hour and a half, with half an hour set aside for preparation beforehand. In other words, for examinations students are allocated half an hour to organise themselves and an hour and half to cook. However, students are more prepared for national examinations and one has more time to set them up. The time of one hour and 20 minutes in school is good. That is the recommended time and, as home economics teachers, we would push for that amount of time.