All teachers in primary schools were issued with a new programme in science in September 1999 as part of the introduction of the revised curriculum. The programme is set out in two booklets – a curriculum statement, incorporating the aims, objectives and content for each class level and guidelines for teachers on the teaching of the subject. The new science programme comprises four interlinked strands, namely, living things, energy and forces, materials and environmental care.
The implementation of the revised curriculum will be on a phased basis over four to five years and will be supported by a comprehensive programme of in-career professional development for teachers. The expectation is that most schools will choose to follow the sequence of subject-areas followed in the in-career development programme from year to year. It is planned that in-career professional development in science will form part of the ongoing primary curriculum support programme in the next school year, 2000-01. However schools will be free to introduce subject areas as they see fit, taking account of the expertise and interests of their staffs.