AQW 7324/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education whether he has considered making the Cycling Proficiency Scheme mandatory in schools.
Asked by Andrew Muir MLA on 21 September 2020
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 21 September 2020
- Answer due by
- 6 October 2020
- Answered
- 24 September 20203 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Cycling Proficiency Scheme (CPS) is a mixture of theory and practical experience and teaches children in years 6 & 7 to cycle safely, and encourages them to cycle more often. CPS has been delivered by DfI and previously by DOE for over 40 years.
It is taught as an after school activity delivered by CPS trained teachers. Each year, every Primary School in Northern Ireland is invited to participate in the scheme. However, it is up to each principal to decide whether to join the scheme.
Making cycling safety training mandatory could discriminate against those children with disabilities or who do not have access to a bicycle. It would also reduce the amount of teaching time which is currently spent on other subjects, consequently there are currently no plans to make the Cycling Proficiency Scheme mandatory in schools.