Eric J. Byrne
Question:132 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she will outline and distinguish between the three types of leaving certificate. [9250/95]
Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate.
The terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress provided for a six-year cycle of post-primary education, which has made available a three-year senior cycle for pupils entering the senior cycle from September 1994. The senior cycle is being restructured to provide the option of a transition year programme and a two year leaving certificate with three orientations — the established leaving certificate programme; a revised and expanded leaving certificate vocational programme; and a new leaving certificate applies to be introduced, on a pilot basis, in September 1995.
The aims of the senior cycle, as structured, are to encourage and facilitate students to continue in full-time education during the post-compulsory period by providing a stimulating range of programmes suited to their abilities, aptitudes and interests. The objectives are to develop each student's potential to the full, and equip them for work or further education.
Pupils following the established leaving certificate programme must take at least five subjects, including Irish.
The subject syllabuses of this programme are being revised at present to give them a greater vocational orientation. The revision is taking place on a phased basis. In phase 1, it is proposed that revised syllabuses, at higher and ordinary levels, for Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian and accounting, and a new syllabus for mathematics — foundation level, will be introduced in September 1995 for examination in 1997 and after. The other leaving certificate subjects will be revised in future phases.
The leaving certificate vocational programme (LCVP) is the normal leaving certificate programme with a concentration on technical subjects and some additions. Because of its high vocational content, it attracts funding from the European Social Fund. It was first introduced in 1989. In 1994, it was expanded to broaden the choice of subjects and to strengthen the vocational content of the programme by including three link modules on enterprise education, preparation for work and work experience.
Pupils following the leaving certificate vocational programme in its redesigned form take: five leaving certificate subjects, including Irish and including two subjects to be chosen from a set of vocational subjects; a recognised course in a modern European language; the three mandatory link modules.
The leaving certificate applied, which it is proposed to introduce in September 1995 will be a self-contained two year programme replacing and expanding on the existing senior certificate and vocational preparation and training programme. It is a person-centred programme involving a cross-curricular approach rather than a subject-based structure. It has as its primary objective the preparation of participants for adult and working life through relevant learning experiences which develop the following areas of human endeavour; spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical. The framework of the leaving certificate applied consists of a number of modules grouped under three general headings:
(i) General Education (at least 30 per cent of the time)
(ii) Vocational Education (at least 30 per cent of the time)
(iii) Vocational Preparation (at least 25 per cent of the time).
The leaving certificate applied is intended to meet the needs of those students who either choose not to opt for other leaving certificate programmes or who are not adequately catered for by other leaving certificate programmes.