Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who are currently trained in secondary schools to teach social, personal and health education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36488/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since September 2003, all post primary schools have been required to timetable Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) as part of the junior cycle core curriculum. The time allocation recommended is one class period per week. To support schools in delivering SPHE, a curriculum framework along with implementation guidelines have been developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The Department, through the SPHE and other support services, delivers a range of continuing professional development courses to upskill teachers on an ongoing basis. A total of 12,933 teachers have received training through the SPHE Support Service since 2004. It is a matter for each school to ensure that teachers delivering the programme are suitably qualified and engage in appropriate continuing professional development.