The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe, TD, presented prizes at the  Active School Awards 2008 national showcase at the Helix Theatre, Dublin City University. The Active School Awards scheme was initiated as part of the European year of Education through Sport (EYES) in 2004.

The Active School Awards Initiative gives schools an opportunity to showcase their work in PE and detail the physical activity and sports activities that take place in their schools. Thirteen prize winning schools consisting of six primary, five post primary and two special Schools showcased their work at the awards Celebration Day. Details of the winning schools are attached below.

Each of the winning schools will receive €4,000 to be used towards the purchase of PE equipment. The initiative is funded by the Department of Education and Science and managed by Mayo Education Centre. 

The main objectives of the awards are:

• to encourage young people to engage in more physical activity in a fun environment;
• to raise the profile of Physical Education and co-curricular physical activity;
• to help promote the Physical Education syllabuses at primary and post-primary level.

“In addition, the educational value of sport and physical activity cannot be underestimated” sport is fun, it builds teamwork, respect for others, fair play and mutual understanding.”

Minister O’Keeffe spoke about the important role of sports organisations saying “sports organisations such as the Gaelic Athletic Association, Basketball Ireland, the Football Association of Ireland provide extensive opportunities for participating. At its best, sport builds character, teamwork, leadership, and ambition.

Children also need to learn about balanced nutrition together with availing of opportunities to exercise.

“Through an increased focus on exercise in school and in the community, the Government is working to encourage more children and young people to get active and prevent health problems later in life.”

Minister O’Keeffe also went on to say “the recent ‘State of the Nation’s Children’ report , found that children in Ireland are doing well on physical activity, ranking second across the 32 WHO countries in being physically active.

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