Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In the review and redevelopment of the primary curriculum there have been calls for increased time to be allocated to existing curriculum areas such as Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and to Physical Education (PE). The draft Primary Curriculum Framework published by the NCCA as part of their development work sets out the competency of Fostering wellbeing which aims to develop children’s appreciation and demonstration of wellbeing and their ability to be as physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually healthy as they can be. The finalised Primary Curriculum Framework is due to be presented to the Minister with publication due in March 2023. This framework will then guide the NCCA’s work in developing a specification for each curriculum area.

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual school authority. All qualified Primary teachers are qualified to teach the full spectrum of the Primary Curriculum including Physical Education. Primary teachers undertake elements of physical education as part of their teacher training.