The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) would be amazed if PE doesn’t remain an examinable subject after 2018. This is according to their deputy general secretary Diarmaid de Paor, who is confident that PE will be rolled out to all schools across the country after it is piloted during the 2018/2019 academic year.

The introduction of PE as an examinable subject in the Leaving Cert was confirmed in early December and was welcomed by the ASTI. They believe that it will benefit students excelling in sport who have never really been recognised through the Leaving Cert programme in its current form.

“We certainly welcome the introduction of this initiative. This is great for students where their strength lies more in physical activity than in academia. Students like these do not get recognised by the current leaving cert,” de Paor said.

"The pilot will begin in 2018 at a small number of schools throughout the country. The new subject will be assessed in three separate components, which are a physical activity project, a performance assessment and a written examination. While reaction has been positive by the association, reservations about facilities have been expressed.

“Our only worry would be that some schools would not have the facilities that others would have. The Department of Education must ensure that facilities are in place across all schools.”

Applications have already started for schools wishing to apply to pilot the subject.

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