Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 3

Written Answers. - Transition Year Programme.

Síle de Valera

Question:

77 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Education the number of children participating in the transition year programme in the academic year 1995/1996; the number of schools participating in the programme; if she will be requesting every second-level school to provide this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9600/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Returns for the 1995-96 academic year, from the authorities of second-level schools, show that the transition year programme is being offered in 497 schools to a total of 24,036 students.

The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provided that a six-year cycle of post-primary education would be made available for students commencing their post-primary cycle in 1991. Accordingly, a restructuring of the senior cycle programme began which gave a three year senior cycle option from September 1994 consisting of a one year transition year programme and a two-year leaving certificate programme with three orientations, the established leaving certificate, the leaving certificate vocational programme and the leaving certificate applied.

It is for the authorities of individual schools to decide whether to offer the transition year programme. In making this choice, schools are subject to the same constraints as apply to their general curriculum choice. Schools cannot always, for example, provide a range of curriculum or programme options to suit the wishes of every student.

Each year, my Department issues a circular letter to school authorities, inviting those schools wishing to provide a transition year programme in the following academic year to register with the Department. To date, 558 schools have indicated to my Department that they propose to provide the programme to a total of 28,162 pupils in the 1996-97 academic year.