Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

594. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of secondary schools that do not offer physics or chemistry as a subject; and the percentage of secondary schools not offering these subjects according to whether they are mixed, girls and boys schools. [28582/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At Leaving Certificate level, students may undertake Physics, Chemistry or a combined Physics & Chemistry  subject.The Physics & Chemistry syllabus is a discrete syllabus and students presenting for this subject in the Leaving Certificate examination may not present for either of the individual syllabuses, Leaving Certificate Physics or Leaving Certificate Chemistry.

Of the 711 post primary schools, 73 (representing just over 10% of Post Primary Schools) do not offer any of these three subjects. Of these 73 schools, 68 are mixed, 3 are girls only and 2 are boys only.

It is a matter for schools to decide what examinable subjects they will offer at leaving certificate in addition to the required subjects of English, Irish and Mathematics.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

595. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new primary school mathematics curriculum will be made available to teachers; and the timeframe it is expected to commence being taught. [28583/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Development of the Primary Mathematics curriculum which includes computational thinking, creative thinking skills and coding, for Junior Infants to 2^ndClass, is underway by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).  Consultation on the draft curriculum is due to take place in autumn 2017 with a finalised curriculum expected to be received in my Department in September 2018. Implementation in schools will commence in September 2019 following extensive teacher professional development. It is intended that implementation of the curriculum for pupils in 3rd to 6th classes will take place the following year.