A new Leaving Certificate course in physical education will reward students for studying sporting events on video and rate their performance in a wide range of sports, according to a draft syllabus prepared for the Department of Education.
The confidential report, which outlines the contents of a two-year Leaving Certificate course in PE, proposes that a minimum of three hours per week should be made available for the teaching of the course.
The report by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment - which advises the Minister for Education - envisages that the two-year course will have two clear elements: a practical assessment, where the students' ability in a selected sport is assessed, and a theory paper. According to the draft this will include a "movement analysis based on the observation of video". One source explained that an exam candidate might, for example, watch a video of a hurling or soccer match and then assess the level of athleticism.
The Department of Education has still to sanction formally a Leaving course in PE but sources suggest this is highly likely.
Last year, former minister for education Mr Martin said "the student who displays a keen interest and talent in PE should have the same opportunity for recognition through the Leaving Certificate as an artist or a musician does".
PE, he said, had remained on the margins of educational reform for too long. He also pointed to the successful examination of PE at A level in England, Wales and Scotland.
Mr Martin asked the NCCA to investigate the inclusion of PE as a full Leaving Cert subject.
The draft syllabus has now been circulated to teacher unions, school managers and other relevant interests.
Sources say the course could be in place within two years, but the Department of Education stresses that work is still at a preliminary stage.
The NCCA document says for Leaving Cert purposes the course would comprise the following elements.
Practical activities would include adventure activities; aqua tics; athletics; dance; gymnastics; games.
Theoretical elements would include aesthetic/artistic - the appreciation of physical movement; psychosocial - the role of PE in developing social skills and motivation, and kinesiological - the mechanics of body movement.
According to the NCCA, students will be required to study three of the practical activities and all of the theory components.
It is envisaged that study of PE and participation in physical activity will enable students to "reflect with confidence on the nature and quality of human movement", according to the report.
The report insists that qualified specialist teachers should be responsible for the delivery of the PE syllabus. This could present practical difficulties, as not all PE teachers have third-level qualifications in this subject.
However, one source stressed that graduates of the University of Limerick's sports sciences courses would be ideally qualified to teach the subject.
It is felt that many PE teachers will also require additional training as they have no experience for preparing for formal exams in PE.
The provision of facilities could also present problems for some schools. The NCCA insists a good variety of facilities will be required, such as an indoor sports hall and access to a swimming pool.
It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of second-level schools have no sports hall.