Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this afternoon?s announcement on the reform of the junior certificate which will have continuous assessment for young teenagers as they go through secondary school. Having lived in the United States for many years I realise the value of continuous assessment. There is too much pressure on young people in this country to perform well in examinations on one day which will make a difference to the rest of their lives. This transformation will prove to be a wonderful success.

I also note in recent days a proposed ¤12 million investment by the Department of Education and Skills for the upskilling of teachers on how to deal with misbehaviour among young people attending school. The upskilling should focus on parents not teachers. We are well aware of the increase in anti-social behaviour and the misuse of alcohol and drugs. We are also well aware of the growing epidemic of obesity in this country, which currently affects more than 300,000 children. We frequently debate in the Seanad the difficulties facing the health service. We are talking about sick people making complaints. One could go to any hospital and see people who are suffering from illnesses smoking at the entrance to the building. They are not taking responsibility for their health. It is time to put responsibility back on people rather than making it the responsibility of the Department of Health.

I call on the Leader to see whether we could get the Department of Education and Skills to introduce a continuous assessment programme in schools for physical education. If we could take a small percentage of the proposed ¤12 million for the upskilling of teachers on how to deal with misbehaviour, we could nip the problem in the bud through the positive effect of physical education in schools. We do not value the importance of physical education in schools where it could be of lifelong benefit to children. I would like to see whether we could get a certain percentage of the funding to upskill teachers in physical education in schools. Teachers have not had any upskilling in schools for the past six years. That would be an important solution to deal with anti-social behaviour and the misuse of drugs and alcohol.