Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to concerns raised by the National Activity Planning Group that physical education will be downgraded from 180 hours to 100 hours over the three years of the junior certificate curriculum; and what are his plans for PE at post-primary level. [35372/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The new Junior Cycle is focused on helping students make a greater connection with learning, improving the quality of learning and teaching that takes place in schools and will ensure better literacy and numeracy outcomes for all our young people. The importance of physical activity in schools is reflected in the new Framework for Junior Cycle, which I launched in October 2012. A short course in PE is currently being designed by the NCCA. It will be available for consultation in the autumn and it will be available for schools to implement from September 2014. This short course will be designed for 100 hours duration. Schools may choose to incorporate this short course into their junior cycle programme, either for certification purposes or not for certification. Alternatively, they may choose not to opt for the new course and may instead continue to use existing courses or other approaches to meet the requirements in this area. Therefore, there is no basis for the concerns expressed by the National Activity Planning Group. Understandably, some concerns have been expressed that the proposed reforms will result in the downgrading of certain subjects taught in second level schools. I want to assure you that this is certainly not the intention of the reforms and I am satisfied this will not be an unintended consequence either. Overall, I am in favour of leaving the decision on what is offered at the discretion of the school, and of students having as broad a range of options to choose from that reflects their interests. Curriculum choice is important in motivating students to learn and to remain in school to completion of senior cycle. I have every confidence that the changes envisaged in the Framework for Junior Cycle will ensure that the place of physical education will be retained and given a new impetus across the junior cycle curriculum.