The Minister for Education says there is no reason for schools to introduce a no running policy in playgrounds.
At the launch of the report from the National Taskforce on Obesity this week, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was shocked to learn about no running policies in some national schools due to a fear of litigation.
On 'The Week In Politics' programme Minister for Education Mary Hanafin reiterated the government’s stance on the issue. It is natural for children to run and play, and to fall in the school yard, but no one should be blamed for that, and in her opinion
There is absolutely no reason why there should be a no running policy in schools.
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network says that many schools do not have adequate space or facilities to allow children to run safely. The Department of Education needs to provide schools with more support to implement the new PE curriculum says John Curran and a need to make sure that the resources are properly in place.
As children spend just twenty per cent of their time in school, both government and school principals have stated that parents are the ones who are responsible for their children’s health and fitness.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 May 2005. The reporter is Clare Murphy.
