Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist thábhachtach seo. Leaving certificate examinable PE was launched on a phased basis in 2018 and was introduced at that point in 64 secondary schools. This was the first time physical education was recognised as an examinable subject for State certification purposes. The subject has been very well received, with 404 post-primary schools now offering the subject. There are ten topics set out under two strands in the leaving certificate PE specification. Strand 1 is towards optimum performance and strand 2 is contemporary issues in physical activity. Students' physical active participation is central to teaching and learning across strands 1 and 2 in leaving certificate PE.

To enable this to happen, students learn about the different theoretical perspectives through their engagement in three different physical activities. Each activity must be selected from one of six distinct physical activity areas, which reflect the activities most commonly included in school PE programmes currently. They are athletics; artistic and aesthetic activities; adventure activities; games; aquatics; and personal exercise and fitness. Students cannot choose more than one activity from each area.

There are three assessment components in leaving certificate PE, which are the physical activity project; the performance assessment; and a written examination. The physical activity project is one of three assessment components within leaving certificate PE. The physical activity project accounts for 20% of the marks available and is assessed at higher and ordinary level.

It is important to note that any physical activity area that has a national governing body recognised by Sport Ireland which complies with the definition of a competitive sport as outlined in the Irish Sports Council Act 1999, including golf, can be chosen as a physical activity area of study for the physical activity project. Students can select golf as the physical activity area for their physical activity project, once this choice is supported by their PE teacher and by the school. It should be noted that students must complete the physical activity project and the performance assessment in different physical activity areas. Golf is considered to fall under the games physical activity area. Therefore, if students choose golf from the games category, they must choose a different physical activity area to study for their performance assessment. As part of the senior cycle redevelopment, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA, will convene a subject development group in the coming weeks to consider a range of additional modifications to the specification. As part of the work, the NCCA has been asked to ensure that the development group takes account of any relevant issues arising, including any necessary update.

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