7) The Adequacy of the Curriculum.

As part of its ongoing review of the curriculum, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has, in recent years, undertaken a review of Physical Education programmes at Primary and Post-Primary levels. Much of this work is either complete or nearing completion.

1. Primary: A revised Physical Education curriculum has been published as part of the general revision of the Primary school curriculum. It will be introduced in accordance with the overall implementation strategy adopted by the Department of Education and Science for the revised Primary school curriculum.

2. Junior cycle, Post Primary: the final draft of the revised syllabus will be considered by the NCCA in the very near future. The development of this syllabus was carried on in conjunction with a Department of Education and Science / National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Pilot Project. The project examined the impact of elements of the proposed syllabus on schools and investigated the appropriateness of certain areas of content and teaching approaches. This process gave rise to the production of an extensive set of teaching materials, which, it is envisaged, will accompany the syllabus.

3. Senior cycle, Post Primary: the revised syllabus for this level is in the latter stages of development. It seeks to build upon the competencies and understandings achieved by the student at junior cycle. In relation to this work, the NCCA has been acutely aware of the need to structure the content and methodologies to cater for the needs of the young people at senior cycle and to reflect the current societal context.

4. Leaving Certificate: Physical Education has traditionally remained outside of the certification process at the post-Primary level. The introduction of a Leaving Certificate syllabus therefore marks a significant departure in the context of the education system. The course itself has a strong practical emphasis and this is reflected in the assessment procedures envisaged. Additionally a number of elements focus on theoretical perspectives of Physical Education, which will provide the student with a deeper understanding of the concepts underlying the subject.

7.1 Training and Resource Implications.

The level of change within the system arising from the introduction of the new programmes will be very significant. The Revised Primary Curriculum has associated with it an extensive in-career development structure, which will incorporate Physical Education at the appropriate time. Any implementation of new and revised syllabuses for post-Primary will require comprehensive training for serving teachers. The physical resources available in our schools for the teaching of Physical Education will have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the new courses. There is an urgent need for a national survey of facilities and provision levels in Physical Education so that the process of implementation of the new syllabuses and possible strategic development of Physical Education can be informed regarding issues of resourcing.