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[size=7]Green Party launches major initiative to reform schools PE[/size]
The Green Party today launched a new initiative aimed at enhancing children's involvement in physical activity at schools. The plan includes the introduction of a new examinable Physical Education subject at second level and significantly increased funding for school PE equipment.
Speaking in Limerick, where the Party launched an initiative to build a model sports school, Green Party Education Spokesperson Paul Gogarty TD said that every child must be given the opportunity to participate in physical activity to help combat the rising levels of childhood obesity.
Deputy Gogarty said: “PE has been neglected for too long within our education system. Standards vary widely across the country; a student's exposure to PE hours very much depends on the facilities in the school and the availability of dedicated teachers. In Government the Green Party will invest €16.8 million to significantly upgrade sports equipment and training in all schools.
"We will also conduct a complete nationwide audit of all sports facilities to maximise usage at school and community level. The introduction of Physical Education as an examinable subject at second level and the revision of the current curriculum at primary level will ensure that, in conjunction with the additional investment required, each student receives between three and four hours' PE a week."
Deputy Gogarty also outlined plans to set up Ireland’s first model sports school at second level in Limerick, similar to Westfields sports school in Sydney, Australia.
“Limerick is already a centre of sporting excellence and is the perfect site a dedicated sports school. The school will be modelled on WestfieldsSportsSchool in Sydney, Australia, where academic performance and the achievement of sporting excellence go hand in hand. In Government the Green Party intend to roll out nine more regional sports schools across the country.
“We want to give every child a chance to participate in sport and physical activity and our increased investment will make a significant contribution. However we also want to help cultivate the sporting stars of the future and ensure that those children with an interest in and aptitude for sport can combine sporting excellence with educational advancement.”
Green Party candidate for Limerick East Trish Forde-Brennan said: “I am delighted that Limerick has been selected as the first site for our proposed ModelSportsSchool. Limerick has a strong sporting tradition within its schools and is renowned as a centre of excellence for training in sport and physical education. The city is ideally located to roll out what will be first of nine model sports schools nationwide.”
Key proposals announced today include:
- Enhanced additional grant of €1,215 for physical education sports equipment and training for schools, bringing the total shared figure up to €3,215 per school. The provision of an additional top-up grant of €15 per child per school. Total estimated cost allocated €16.8 million.
- A complete nationwide audit of all sports facilities to maximise usage at school and community level
- The introduction of Physical Education as an examinable subject at second level.
- Revision of the current curriculum at primary level to ensure that, in conjunction with the additional investment required, each student receives between three and four hours' PE a week
50 Steps to a Better Education System - www.50Steps.com
Step 31 - Physical Education reform
In Government, the Green Party will introduce Physical Education or Physical and Health Education as an examinable subject, compulsory to Junior Certificate and optional to Leaving Certificate. This will be done following a feasibility study by the NCCA to see what mix would be required in an enhanced curriculum to achieve the optimum goals of more activity and greater awareness of personal health and nutrition issues.
We will also examine and if possible revise the current curriculum at primary level to ensure that, in conjunction with the additional investment required, each student receives between three and four hours' PE a week.
We will carry out a nationwide audit of sports facilities at all levels, which the Government has failed to complete in its five-year programme, including facilities currently available at schools, to ensure that all available resources on a community basis are allocated, either voluntarily or through formal arrangements, maximising usage.
Step 32 - Physical Education infrastructure and equipment investment
In Government the Green Party will significantly upgrade physical education capabilities in all schools through the provision of an enhanced additional grant of €1,215 for physical education sports equipment and training for schools, bringing the total shared figure up to €3,215 per school. We will also provide an additional top-up grant of €15 per child per school. Total estimated cost allocated €16.8 million.
In Government the Green Party will also pilot Ireland's first Model Sports School at second level. This will be based in Limerick and will be followed over the term of office by nine more regional sports schools in major population centres. These schools will be modelled on the successful WestfieldsSportsSchool in Sydney, Australia, where academic performance and the achievement of sporting excellence go hand in hand. Criteria for tender and design will be agreed by the DES. Local authorities and sports clubs may be included as partners as part of an Integrated Public Partnership (IPP) arrangement, assuming this does not interfere with the training requirements of students.
Assuming sports facilities such as swimming pools/sports facilities are shared between the local authority, the costs to the DES for upgrading and maintaining existing schools above current costs is estimated at approximately €6 million per school. Allocation in Year 1 for two schools €12 million.
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