Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sligo RTC Examinations.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

152 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all of the students who participated in the first year chartered accountancy course in Sligo Regional Technical College failed their examinations; if his attention has further been drawn to the considerable concern of students and parents, particularly in view of the fact that no explanation was offered to either the students or their parents by the college authorities; the investigations, if any, which have been carried out to ascertain the reason for such an excessively high failure rate; his views on whether such examination results would be considered normal; the special grant assistance, if any, which will be offered to the students in question to allow them to participate in the first year of an alternative course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15801/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The chartered accountancy course in Regional Technical College Sligo is offered in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. The course and syllabus are determined by the institute and at the conclusion of the programme students sit an external examination which is set and marked by examiners appointed by the institute.

I understand from the college authorities in regional technical college Sligo that none of the eight students attending the first year of the chartered accountancy course in the college in 1996-97 passed the examination at the first sitting. Following the issuing of the examination results by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland the college wrote to all students and advised them of a revision course to be provided by the college prior to the autumn sitting of the examinations. When the autumn examinations were finished, the head of school met the students and advised them that their future options, including transfer to another business course, would be reviewed in the light of their examination results. Should any of the students transfer to another ESF aided course in the college, they may be eligible for ESF funding in respect of fees and maintenance subject to them meeting the normal criteria for such funding.

I also understand from the college authorities that examination results achieved by chartered accountancy students at regional technical college Sligo in the past have been consistently good. Because of the abnormally high failure rate this year, the college is conducting an investigation into the examination results and will review all aspects of the course in consultation with the ICAI and the college academic council.