Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Department of Education and Science

School Curriculum

9:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 557: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the restructuring of the senior cycle curriculum to incorporate social, personal and health education, a focus on life skills and empowerment necessary to prevent obesity; if she will develop and implement such a policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3601/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A senior cycle programme in Social Personal and Health Education is being developed by the NCCA. To date, a draft curriculum framework has been published, and consultations on the draft have also been completed. It is envisaged that "physical activity and nutrition" will be one of the core content areas within the curriculum that will emerge.

The Senior Cycle will build on the knowledge gained from participation in the primary and junior cycle programmes. In primary school, the SPHE unit 'Taking care of my body' specifically addresses the need for regular exercise and activity as well as the whole area of nutrition and food and the need for a balanced diet. This unit is built upon from Infants classes onwards, so that by Fifth and Sixth classes, students have the skills to realise and accept responsibility for making wise food choices and adopting a healthy, balanced diet, and in that context, exploring and examining the food pyramid. These themes are continued in the SPHE programme which is mandatory at junior cycle.

I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Council on the Senior Cycle SPHE curriculum at an early date.

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