Vol. 409 No. 8
2 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if it is her intention that the Higher Education Authority should proceed with the planned closure of the education departments at University Colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As I explained to the House on 12 February I have asked the Higher Education Authority to enter into discussions with the relevant colleges with a view to a reduction in the number of education departments. These discussions are proceeding.
Would the Minister not agree that the decision to close the education departments at university colleges will have major and far reaching implications and that it was both unethical and unprofessional to announce their death sentence on radio and television and in the newspapers without notifying the colleges in question who have served the country well in advance?
I had no hand, act or part in that matter. It was reported in the newspapers that the Higher Education Authority had written to the education departments. Interviews followed on the radio. Let me put this matter into context. The number of H.Dip students decreased from a figure of 1,316 in 1979-80 to 678 in 1988-89, an overall decrease of 48.5 per cent. That would be a matter of grave concern both for the universities and the Comptroller and Auditor General eventually.
Nonetheless, would the Minister not agree that she invited the OECD to examine the education system and to make recommendations in relation to teacher training? Their report has not been published but according to information which has been leaked the OECD have urged the Minister to take a long term perspective, to preserve the education departments at university colleges and to facilitate them in providing induction and in-service courses for teachers in view of the fact that teachers of German Spanish, Italian and accounting etc. are in short supply.
I recently met the representatives of one of the universities concerned and we worked out a plan to tackle the shortage of German teachers. This plan should be successful. I should point out that I would not have been prepared to stand over the substantial decrease in the figures, from 1,300 to 600, except for the fact that efforts were being made to work out a satisfactory and cohesive plan in relation to teacher training. That is the subject of the talks currently taking place between the Higher Education Authority and the universities. I am confident that these talks will lead to the production of a far better plan covering teacher training at second level and in-service course. All the early indications are that this will be the case.
Question No. 3, please.
May I ask a brief supplementary?
Let us have regard to the need for brevity for obvious reasons. We are on Priority Questions.
