PE GRANTS FOR TWO SCHOOLS

COLAISTE Chroabh Abhann in Kilcoole and Woodbrook College in Bray will receive grants to support the implementation of PE as a new Leving Cert subject, it has been confirmed.

Minister for Health, Simon Harris, welcomed the news. ‘Our education can often be very exam focused,’ he said.

‘However, it is important that we recognise the opportunity that it gives us to broaden the life skills of each student.

‘I am keen to make sure that our education system keeps pace with our changing society and the evolving needs of our economy. We know how important it is to be physically active and engage in sports, not only for our physical health but also as a means to encourage team building, develop confidence and for our mental health,’ said the minister.

‘ The introduction of Physical Education as a full examinable Leaving Certificate subject reflects the priority this government puts on promoting healthy lifestyles and choices.’

There will be 104 schools in the country offering the subject.

Schools offering Leaving Certificate Physical Education will receive a grant towards the purchase of digital devices for use by students in completing the course assessment components and for hardware required for central uploading of material. A grant of €350 per digital device will be payable, with one device for every two students commencing the subject in September 2018. A payment of €750 per school will be made for the uploading hardware.

There will also be training for teachers to help support the introduction of the new subject.

Topics will include skill and technique, ethics and fair play, planning for optimum performance, and other modules.

The assessment will include a physical activity project, performance assessment and written examination.