Associated Files

Physical Education Grants to Post Primary Schools

1^st December 2010

The PEAI wish to bring to your attention a recent grant for Physical Education equipment that was announced by An Tánaiste Mary Coughlan T.D. on Monday 22nd November. This grant entails a package of €7.8m to be distributed to post primary schools throughout the county. For your information, primary schools also received a grant of  €8m for the purchase of playground and PE equipment.

Documents relating to the recent grant for physical education

Grant Circular to Schools 0069_2010

PEAI Letter to Schools regarding PE Grant

PEAI Guidelines for PE Departments regarding PE Grant

The Physical Education Association of Ireland (PEAI) applaud this much needed funding. Announcing the details the Tánaiste said: "Physical exercise and sport are vital elements of a balanced lifestyle and develop character, teamwork and leadership. Participation in sport is a central part of the education of all pupils and the positive attitudes to physical well-being nurtured in schools can continue to flourish through regular participation all during life." (www.education.ie- press release 22/11/2010)

The Tánaiste expressed the need for the continued development of PE in schools and recognised the need to continue to nurture a balanced lifestyle into the future. The PEAI feel that during these current economic and social challenges, there has never been a more important time to take positive steps to provide the Irish public with a commitment to being physically active, to promote health and psychological well-being. The role of physical education in meeting this commitment cannot be overstated.

Post-primary schools will receive a basic grant of €2,000 plus €20 per pupil in respect of PE equipment.

The following table will outline the grant allocation for schools of varying sizes

The money will be transferred directly to school accounts in the coming week. It is important that physical education teachers take the following steps (overleaf) to ensure that the money is used to maximise its benefit to students and to physical education.

1. Liaise with management to ensure that the grant has been received.
2. Review the school’s long-term subject plan for physical education to identify the most desirable project for the grant.
3. Draw up project rationale and costs.
4. Approach the principal with the desired project.

You may also wish to use the following points which highlight the significant contribution that physical education can make to the holistic development of the student

• Establishment of knowledge and competence of movement  for participation and performance in physical activities
• Development of patterns of, and interest in, physical activity, laying the foundation for lifelong physical activity
• Re-engages disengaged students, improve behavior within schools, and encourage the development of positive skills and attributes
• Enhances student confidence and self-esteem
• ‘Healthy body leads to a healthy mind’
• Potentially improves students’ mental alertness, academic performance, readiness to learn and enthusiasm for learning

(PEAI Factsheet, 2010)

A complete copy of this factsheet is available electronically at www.peai.org

It may also be worthwhile to outline to management that this funding was specifically put in place to fund the purchase of equipment for physical education, and will certainly, aid in the delivery of the Junior Cycle Physical Education Curriculum in the aftermath of its rollout. It will also allow schools to prepare for planned revisions of curricula at Senior Cycle and Leaving Certificate level.

Please find enclosed a further set of guidelines relating to the use of this grant.

If you require more information do not hesitate to contact PEAI executive members Michael Carey mikecarey7@vodafone.ie (087-1626860) or Fergal Lyons lyonsfergal@yahoo.ie. Indeed, the complete list of executive members, with their contact details, is available online at www.peai.org

I hope that this information is of some assistance to you in the coming days and weeks, and on behalf of the PEAI executive, I wish you and you family a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Yours in education,

Michael Carey

President

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PEAI Guidelines in relation to use of Physical Education Grant (Nov 2010)

PE teachers should consult with senior management with regards to the allocation of funds for various items of equipment and resources to support teaching and learning in Physical Education, as they may be required to account for the appropriate use of these grants in the future.

It would be preferable for PE departments to invest in equipment and resources that will be available for several years. The purpose of the grant is to ensure PE departments are better placed to deliver quality programmes. Some suggestions include:

Capital Equipment

1. Goal Posts
2. Gymnastic equipment (mats, benches, boxes)
3. Dividing curtains
4. Whiteboards
5. Hard Court Floor Markings
6. Resistance & Cardiovascular Endurance equipment (weights, treadmills, rowing machines, etc)
7. Activity specific equipment (e.g. orienteering controls; mapping of the school grounds, tents etc)

Physiological Equipment for integration in classes

1. Heart-rate monitors
2. Pedometers
3. Fitness testing equipment;

Educational Software

Reference & Resource Textbooks

1. Posters
2. Activity specific taskcards  

Schools should avoid using this grant to offset expenses in the areas of repairs and refurbishments, which should be applied for under the summer works scheme or through the school’s general maintenance budget.

Schools will also be receiving a significant ICT grant to upgrade the availability of equipment and infrastructure in this area. This provides an opportunity for Physical Education departments to also avail of discounted ICT equipment specifically to promote the integration of ICT into teaching and learning.

ICT equipment such as the following may be purchased through the ICT grant

• HD Digital Video Cameras
• Data-Projectors;
• Laptops/netbooks with video editing software,

Use of this ICT grant for such items will provide an even larger allocation of funds to the PE department overall. Please consult with your principal or school ICT coordinator regarding the ICT grant.

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