Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will raise an issue which might have been more appropriate for me to raise several minutes ago when there were two dozen primary school children and their teachers in the Gallery. Yesterday, Mr. Sean Cottrell, the chief executive officer of the Irish Primary Principals Network, IPPN, called for a mandatory two hours of physical education in primary schools per week. In his words, “A healthy mind in a healthy body captures the essence of a holistic education”. He said something needs to be done urgently in this regard.

Three years ago, I brought my Points for Life initiative to the House in a Private Members’ motion. As a result of that motion and debate on it, the PDST, the Professional Development Service for Teachers, and PE PAYS, Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport, research centre at the University of Limerick, conducted a pilot programme in north Wicklow schools. The results were poor, which we knew then. However, as a result of the pilot programme, there were significant improvements in this area. Where has the programme gone from there? Nowhere. It has been kicked to touch by the Department. I have written to the Minister for Education and Skills on several occasions since last July and only recently last week about this issue calling for a meeting. Will the Leader organise a debate with the Minister? Once and for all, we have to do something about this issue. I want Seanad Éireann to be the leader in ensuring something happens in this regard. Up to 85% of 1,000 teachers surveyed said we need urgent reform in this area from the Department of Education and Skills. We are running out of excuses and we can no longer put it on the long finger. Physical education, which is a core subject in primary school, must be taken as seriously as other core subjects such as mathematics and Irish. I would like to have the Minister for Education and Skills in the House to see a way forward and something positive done in the area physical education. This is not just about obesity but the overall future well-being of our children and our youth.