Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 559: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on post-primary schools encouraging the engagement of their student councils and parents' associations in promoting the concept of healthy eating and active living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3603/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under Section 27 of the Education Act 1998, the boards of management of post primary schools are encouraged to facilitate and promote the establishment of student councils. In 2002, my Department issued guidelines on the establishment and operation of student councils, 'Student Councils: A Voice for Students'. An Assistant National Co-ordinator with responsibility for Student Councils has been appointed to the Citizenship Education Support Team of the Second Level Support Service to design and deliver a programme of professional development to support teachers and schools involved in establishing and developing student councils.

In November 2005, a curriculum development project on the setting up and development of student councils, entitled Giving Young People a Voice, through the Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) curriculum was established. This was a partnership project between the Office for the Minister for Children and the City of Dublin VEC Curriculum Development Unit. The Project has assisted and supported schools, teachers and students in the establishment of Student Councils in schools through the development and piloting of a teaching and learning resource for the CSPE curriculum. It is important that schools engage with the issues which student councils themselves highlight as matters of concern.

A curriculum in SPHE is a mandatory part of all programmes for primary students, and its implementation is also being assisted by a full-time support service. The programme begins in the infant classes and specifically addresses the need for regular exercise, and examines food and nutrition issues and the need for a balanced diet. The objective is that by fifth and sixth class, students are equipped to take 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 at junior cycle, as well as in the Home Economics, PE and Science curricula.

National Healthy Eating Week is promoted by the Department of Health and Children in co-operation with the Department of Education and Science and the Association of Teachers of Home Economics. It is a themed week during which activities to promote the concept of healthy eating for the whole school are organised and delivered through the medium of Home Economics including cookery demonstrations, projects, and displays.

Schools are also encouraged to promote a whole school approach to Social Personal and Health Education which engages the school community, parents and students in implementing strategies to promote healthy lifestyles, building on the success of the 'Health Promoting School' initiative.