Vol. 399 No. 8
6 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the increasing strain on teachers and pupils, brought about by the points system for entry to third level education, is damaging the quality of education in its real sense; the remedial action she intends to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The points system is one devised by third level institutions for selection of applicants for places.
While I accept that the process for admittance to third level education is very competitive, I would point out that the leaving certificate course is one that provides a broad general education for all those following it. Its aim and purpose are to prepare pupils for immediate entry into open society as well as preparing students for further education or training. My concern is to cater for the needs of all students and not just for those who proceed to third level education. I am satisfied that the leaving certificate course meets that broad educational concern and need.
In relation to the points system itself, I realise that different systems used by individual institutions have been a cause of dissatisfaction to parents and students. At my instigation, therefore, arrangements are currently being finalised to standardise requirements between the various third level institutions. I would hope to be in a position to make an announcement providing details of the new arrangements in the future.
I accept that Deputy Spring's question is much wider than the answer I have given, is set in a much wider and more philosophical context, but I would be willing to take supplementaries.
The Minister has dealt with the system but the reality is that the points requirement for a number of courses increases year by year. Parents put pressure on students and on teachers. The central part of education which is the development of the total individual to the fullness of his or her potential is being lost. The ethos of——
Ceist le do thoil a Theachta. Ceisteanna atá i gceannas anseo.
——schools is being damaged. Does the Minister not agree that the pressure on parents, teachers and students is increasing all the time to the detriment of real education?
I do. I agree with the Deputy that an inordinate regard is placed by society on third level education. I can understand that because everybody wants the best for their child. We all think our own sons and daughters are swans. People want the best education for their children. Because of the lack of job opportunities the better qualified one is the better chance one will have to find a job at home or abroad.
Education is much more than that. Education develops the confidence, well being and social development of a young person. More and more that aim is being overlaid by the drive for points. There is another part — a hidden agenda — to that question which is the preceived need for more places in third level institutions. I do not want to be always quoting statistics, but to date we have had a higher take-up rate of third level places than the UK — who funded student loan fees which one would have thought would have led to unlimited access but, apparently, that has not been the case.
They are one of the worst in Europe.
We are relatively good in European terms.
The UK has low standards.
Not everybody is suited academically or in many other ways for third level education. Yet the whole emphasis seems to be on getting points for entry to third level. This is a huge issue and we could talk about if for an hour and a half and everybody would sigh and moan and say I was wasting time. It is a very serious issue. With respect to all those who have put down questions on their respective needs, this is the most thought provoking question on the Order Paper. It will have to be addressed by those in education and the wider community to see why the needs of the one-third who go on to third level education are becoming increasingly dominant in the leaving certificate when this examination is geared to the development of the full person in an educational sense. I make this point at every opportunity I get at school openings or the gathering of parents, but it is a difficult one to get across.
I understand the pressures being brought to bear by parents and society but it is not an easy question to answer. I have implemented a three year programme, from 1990 to 1992, to standardise entry qualifications. I also wanted to give the Deputy some information about the points system. The working group of the VEC third level colleges have completed their work and arrived at a consensus on the points ratings for admission to their colleges. I am very pleased about this. Now that there is a new grading structure for the leaving certificate, the universities expect to complete their work on the point ratings by the end of the month. I accept that these are only technical points but at least I am trying to make the matter less complex. The arrangements for the two sectors will then have to be co-ordinated, and given that there is ongoing dialogue we need anticipate no special problem in arriving at common arrangements for all third level institutions. I will make an announcement on this matter in July or early August. I have already announced that as and from 1992 the repeat leaving will be done away with. Even though the NUI took their own decisions, the matriculation exam will also be abolished. All these matters were a source of tension for young people. I am trying to make the matter less complex in that regard but the wider philosophical aspects of the question remain to be addressed by everyone in society. I intend to play a full role in this.
