Minister's Speech

Address
by Noel Treacy, T.D.
Minister for Science and Technology
At the opening of The National Physical Education Conference
in The Corrib Great Southern Hotel, Galway
Friday 10th November 2000

Thank you for your kind invitation to open this very important Conference, which is a highly significant Event in the Physical Education Calendar. I would like to congratulate this year's Committee, and particularly its very Active President, Mr. Michael Glynn, on their hard work to date and I wish them every success with this weekend, here in Galway.
Movement is an activity of which the vast majority of Humans have Daily and Lifelong Experience.
People are continually making decisions relating to Physical Activity (often subconsciously) and in many cases the significant factor, in the decision-making process is the attitude of the Individual towards Physical Activity, in addition to the knowledge one brings to the decision. In this regard it is essential that each Person be afforded every opportunity to develop a positive concept of Physical Activity and to acquire the kind of Knowledge, that will promote Informed Decision Making, encourage Participation in regular Physical Activity and support the maintenance of a Healthy Lifestyle.
Each Young Person would require and should be provided with continuing, High Quality Physical Education throughout her/his time in School. The provision of Quality Physical Education to all of Children in Post-Primary Schools remains a target to which we aspire.

Major Initiatives

The past few years have seen very Significant Developments in the area of Physical Education, in this Country.
I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed in recent times about the status of and provision for Physical Education in our Post Primary Schools. Recent reports emanating from Teacher Organisations, and other Representative Bodies have drawn attention to the need for a major review of Physical Education, at Post Primary Level.
Serious concern has been expressed about the Quality of Provision in Physical Education and about the level of take-up of the Subject, particularly at Senior Cycle Level, where, according to the Research, only a very small percentage of Students, follow a Quality Physical Education Programme.
A recent Review, carried out by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, has indicated that current provision does not reflect the needs of Students. Teachers, according to this Survey, do not have an affinity to the Existing Syllabus and are seeking the development of a Syllabus, which more accurately reflects the needs of today's Students.
Curriculum Change, which should be an ongoing process at every level of Our Education System, should reflect the accumulated experience of all of those involved in the Teaching of the Subject.

Pilot Project

A Pilot Project was established three years ago to address these concerns and to ensure that the Quality of Physical Education provision, would be improved by directing participating Teachers, to Examine and Evaluate their Teaching Methods and their Learning Outcomes for Students.
This project addressed issues related to established Practices in our Schools and set about Evaluating, in a School Context, aspects of a new and revised Physical Education Syllabus.
I would like to pay tribute to all of those Teachers, who gave of their time voluntarily to become involved in this very worthwhile Project and in particular, I wish to acknowledge the excellent work of the Project Officer, Mr. John Halbert for his Trojan work in directing the Project. This Pilot Project helped to create a foundation for the successful introduction of a New Physical Education Syllabus, into our Schools.
I feel sure that this Project, which is coming to a successful conclusion, will help us to face the challenge of ensuring that Our Physical Education Syllabus, is relevant to the Educational Needs of today's Youth and that Students' Growth and Development, will be maintained through a Quality Programme of Physical Education.

New Physical Education Syllabi

Following its lengthy Review of Post-Primary Physical Education the N.C.C.A. is now ready to present Draft Syllabi for Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, and Leaving Certificate. At this, the penultimate stage of its deliberations, the National Council seeks the views of a range of Individuals, Agencies and Institutions, in respect of three Draft Physical Education Syllabi.
It is a happy coincidence that this very week the N.C.C.A. has posted, or is in the process of posting, Copies of the New Draft Syllabi in Physical Education, to every School in this Country.
These Syllabi are accompanied by Three Response Questionnaires, which you are invited to complete. The Syllabus Documentation will be finally Reviewed, in the light of the Responses received, through this Consultation Process.
In discharging its Syllabus Development Responsibilities, the N.C.C.A. relies on the expert advice of Course Committees.
The Physical Education Course Committee has, in its deliberations, considered the Subject, across the Post-Primary range. It has representation from a variety of interested Parties, in the Education Sector and I would like to congratulate all of the Members of the Physical Education Course Committee, past and present, on their excellent work, in producing the three Draft Syllabi, for Consultation.
These Syllabi reflect the distinctive Nature of Physical Education. The predominant emphasis is on the Student learning about Physical Activity, through the medium of Physical Activity. Even where the Subject Matter is essentially non-practical, every effort is made to apply it to a practical setting.
There is an effort to build on the traditions of Schools and Communities, in order to provide a broad and relevant experience to all Students. In many instances, this will involve Schools in Physical Education pursuits and teaching approaches, which are unfamiliar. With appropriate Training and Support, it is hoped that the Syllabi will allow for the extension and development of each school's Physical Education Programme.
The Syllabi seek to Provide Progression within the Education System, but also to allow for ease of Transition between Stages, within the System. The Junior Cycle Syllabus develops and builds on the work of the Primary School Programme. It takes the Students from the end of their Primary Experience and progresses them to a point where they are in a position to avail of the opportunity to participate in Senior Cycle Physical Education, with the option of taking the Subject, in their Leaving Certificate.
The particular nature of the Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle Syllabi, offers the scope for utilising a range of Assessment Modes, many of which have been previously under-utilised within the area. In particular the use of Self and Peer Assessment Techniques introduces an element of Student Responsibility, not afforded in other Subjects. There is a recognition that a wide variation exists in the level and Quality of Physical Education Resources. While no Syllabus can hope to cater in equal measure, for All School circumstances the degree of flexibility in the Syllabuses should enable most Schools to provide a Coherent and Valuable Physical Education Curriculum.
The Process of Consultation provides an opportunity to submit a Written Response to the Documents. It has also provided the facility to contribute in a Meeting Format, to this stage of the Syllabus Development. Accordingly the NCCA worked closely with the Physical Education Association of Ireland in organising a Series of Meetings earlier this year, at which Teachers were briefed and had an opportunity to comment, on the Draft Syllabi.

Leaving Certificate

Arguably the most significant development of recent years in Physical Education, has been the decision to include Physical Education, as a Subject at Leaving Certificate level. The former Education Minister, Micheál Uas Martin, has stated that Physical Education is to be included as a subject in the Leaving Certificate. With this announcement Minister Martin brought to a head the Debate, which had ebbed and flowed within the Physical Education Fraternity for quite a while. The advent of this new status will provide a great opportunity to Teachers and Students alike.
For Teachers, the accompanying challenge for those, who chose to undertake involvement with the new course, should not be underestimated. The New Directions contained in the Leaving Certificate, will undoubtedly mean changes in the way that Teachers view their Subject and, to an extent, in the profile of their Working Lives. I believe that the challenge will be worth the extra burden involved.
It is recognised that Assessment has always been an integral and important component of Effective Teaching. While Teachers may encounter difficulties in incorporating constructive Modes of Assessment into their Teaching, they invariably find, when they do, that it enhances the Quality of their Practice.
Within Our Education System, for the first time, Students who wish to have their Physical Aptitudes and Interests Recognised, are now to be provided with the opportunity to have access to formal recognition. On leaving School with their Leaving Certificate, Students should have their Achievements in all Disciplines, given due recognition.
It is important to recognise that the Student, who displays a keen interest and a talent in Physical Education, should have the same opportunity for recognition, through the Leaving Certificate, as an Artist or a Musician currently does.

The inclusion of Physical Education on the Leaving Certificate Syllabus will allow Students to Graduate from their Post Primary Schooling, with a more comprehensive profile of attainment. Not only will Students benefit from this Innovation, but so also will teachers. The process involved, in preparing for and delivering a Leaving Certificate Course, will provide a further Stimulus towards Professional Development, for the Physical Education Teacher. The inclusion of the Subject within the Examination System will provide motivation and a welcome professional challenge to the individual Teacher. I am delighted to learn that this view is strongly supported by the Physical Education Association of Ireland. Physical Education has traditionally had Non-Examination Status, within the National Certification System. Apart from changing this Designation, the Leaving Certificate Syllabus will undoubtedly alter perceptions of the Subject, both within Schools and in the Community, at large. The emphasis in the Teaching of Physical Education has traditionally been on Learning, through and in Physical Education. The advent of this Syllabus will introduce a strong element of Learning about Physical Education.
It is recognised that Students currently following a School Physical Education Programme are removed from the pervasive pressure of Examinations. The introduction of the Subject, as a Leaving Certificate Subject will not adversely affect Students in this regard, as it should not alter their current Physical Education experience. It is not the intention to replace the existing School Physical Education Programme, but to provide an enhanced component for those Students/Schools, who wish to opt for Certification.
The inclusion of Physical Education in the Exam System also brings into sharper focus, another issue of significance within the Subject. The Assessment of Pupil Learning in Physical Education, is a source of substantial Debate, not just among Irish Physical Education Teachers, but also Internationally.
The single greatest imperative, is that the practical nature of the Subject must be reflected in the Assessment and that a valid reliable and workable Assessment System, is devised for Physical Education which will work within the context of the Examination System, in this Country.
The practical performance is the central indicator of Learning and Understanding, is demonstrated in large part by the Performance.
No doubt there will be extensive Debate and Work to be undertaken in this critical area of Developing this New and exciting Subject. We will all work together to find the right solution, to this very important issue.
In a System such as ours, in which Examinations are highly valued it is important that Physical Education takes its place alongside other Examination Subjects. Inclusion within the Formal Examination Structure will provide new Opportunities for the Development of this important Curricular Area.
This Innovation is important, insofar as it brings Physical Education into the Centre of the Educational Debate. For too long, it has remained on the margins of Educational Reform.
Physical Education must be prepared to face the challenge of relevance to Young Adults' Educational Needs. It is important to give Students, the opportunity to express themselves Physically and give them recognition for achievement, in this domain.

Inservice needs

As with the implementation of any Syllabus, the provision of a Comprehensive Programme of In-Career Development is envisaged for Physical Education. The provision of this Programme, presents considerable challenges. These arise due to, among other factors, the extent of the change involved, the demands made upon the relatively small number of Physical Education Teachers and the particular needs of Teachers, who do not have Physical Education Training or Qualification.
The Programme of In-Career Development, associated with this Curriculum Development Initiative, though extensive, must be designed and operated, so as to minimise the burden on Teachers and reduce the disruption to Schools.

Links with Sport

Due to a series of factors, some Historical, some Philosophical, there persists a Degree of Mutual Distrust between Physical Educators and Sports People. There is little doubt that the nature of each Discipline is distinct from the other. However, this distinction should not disguise the extensive areas of Commonality, which are shared by all.
It is important to recognise that, in a climate of understanding and with a Self Confident Physical Education Profession, the benefits of Co-operation with a more enlightened Sporting fraternity are potentially immense. With the advent of a more proactive Sports Council, the opportunity to advance a Person-centred approach, as exists in Physical Education, is evident.
Some movement has taken place with increased Communication, between Sporting Bodies and Physical Education Agencies.
It is widely recognised, that if we are to promote greater participation in Sport and Physical Activity, we must begin at School Level. A Comprehensive Physical Education Programme, together with a properly structured Co-Curricular Sports Programme are essential ingredients in this promotion. There should also be a co-operative interaction, between School and Community Agencies, that will allow for ease of movement for children from school to Club and Community Sport and for a Synergy, between Physical Education and Coaching Programmes.
School Sport and Physical Education Programmes at Primary and Second Level receive valuable support from the efforts of Coaching Personnel, from National Governing Bodies.
A project, promoted jointly by the Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation, the Department of Education and Science and the NCCA is seeking to improve the Standards of Sports Coaching in Schools.
The key feature of this Initiative, is the emphasis on the close relationship between the School Sport Programme and the aims of the relevant Physical Education Syllabus. This Joint Initiative is shortly coming to a close and we look forward to examining its Conclusions.

Conclusion

This is a most exciting time for Physical Education and I am sure that the Debates and Discussions, during this Weekend will reflect the views of those, who will be most directly affected by the Proposed Changes. Could I, in conclusion, pay tribute, once more, to the wonderful contribution, which the Physical Education Association of Ireland, has made over the years to the Development of Physical Education, in this Country Your work has been truly comprehensive and wide-ranging.
The way ahead is both exciting and challenging for us all. I have no doubt that your Organisation will continue to serve the cause of Physical Education with both Energy and Vision. I wish you all every success, during the exciting years ahead.