Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1337: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the resources and facilities will be provided to schools to ensure a minimum of two and a half hours physical education in first and second level schools in view of the heart disease rate of 54 per thousand population, exactly twice the European average of 27 per 1000 population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29331/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Our schools promote, support and encourage physical exercise in a range of ways.

The subject Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is part of the core curriculum for all pupils in primary schools and in the junior cycle of second level schools. The SPHE curriculum offers particular opportunities, in an age-appropriate way, to foster the personal development, health and well-being of the individual. It includes such issues as nutrition, and the importance of exercise and healthy lifestyles.

Physical education is also part of the curriculum and plays a key role not just in giving students an opportunity to exercise during the school day but also in encouraging a positive attitude towards physical activity.

At primary level, Physical Education is one of seven curriculum areas within the revised Primary School Curriculum which was introduced in 1999. A minimum of one hour of physical education per week is recommended for all primary school pupils.

In accordance with the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools, all second level schools should provide Physical Education as part of the curriculum. The programme that each school delivers should be based on the Department's approved syllabuses and the teaching hours should be registered on the school timetable. The syllabuses have been developed on the basis of a time allocation of two hours per week.

The Physical Education curricula at both primary and second level have been developed on the understanding that facilities available to schools vary. Consequently, they offer a level of flexibility that allows each individual school to design a programme that can be delivered using the resources and supports available to it.

Apart from the formal curricula, schools can take a range of measures to encourage physical activity among students during the school day and many provide extensive, broad-based programmes of co-curricular physical activities that are highly rewarding for both pupils and teachers alike. In particular, schools play a major role in nurturing and promoting the involvement of students in sporting activities in the wider community. Sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, the Football Association of Ireland provide extensive opportunities for such participation.

There are no plans to extend the length of time for PE in schools. This is not feasible in terms of the range of curricular options which must be facilitated, or the industrial relations and cost implications. Together, the above initiatives ensure that children not only get opportunities to exercise at school but also learn about balanced nutrition and making good food choices. Schools are playing their part in the battle to tackle childhood obesity. However, it should be remembered that children only spend 20% of their time at school and that a healthy home environment is vital to ensuring that they do not suffer from obesity.