Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Department of Education and Skills

Physical Education Facilities

9:00 pm

Photo of Noel HarringtonNoel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his response to proposals by Clonakilty Town Council, County Cork, regarding physical education for secondary school students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/12]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I fully appreciate the importance of Physical Education in promoting positive well being, and mental and physical health in schools, and the role this plays in supporting student achievement. However, curriculum overload has been found in many evaluations in the Irish system, and I do not intend to extend the length of time required for PE in primary or second level schools. My focus is on ensuring that the time recommended for PE is implemented in all schools, as part of a broad and balanced programme, that schools encourage physical activity during breaks and seek to promote sporting activities outside of school time, and make their premises and facilities available to the wider community.

In addition to PE being a required subject in all schools, the importance of healthy lifestyles, good nutrition and physical exercise is also featured as part of the Social Personal and Health Education Programme which is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle. In a new school building or major refurbishment/extension, PE facilities are included as part of the design, and new PE equipment is provided.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has recently completed a public consultation process on a syllabus for Physical Education as a Leaving Certificate examinable subject, and will be forwarding its advice to me during 2012. However, there are a range of syllabuses awaiting implementation which cannot be progressed in the current budgetary climate. In Junior cycle, PE is a non-examinable subject. As part of the reforms which I have recently endorsed, there will be opportunity for schools to provide short courses which are locally developed, of 100 hours duration, which are assessed by means of a portfolio. There will be scope under these arrangements for schools to extend the provision for sports and PE should they wish to do so.

It is important to realise that children spend just 20% of their waking hours at school and so their level of physical activity during the rest of the week in just as important. Indeed, the 'State of the Nation's Children 2010" report found that children in Ireland are doing well on physical activity, ranking first across 40 countries in being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week.

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