Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Third Level Students.

Seán Barrett

Question:

78 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Science if officials in his Department have analysed the returns made by the third level colleges under their statutory obligations to identify drop out rates; if these vary significantly between colleges; and the plans, if any, he has to publish regular data in this regard for all third level institutions on a comparative basis. [3617/99]

John Bruton

Question:

79 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the action, if any, he requires the institutes of technology to take regarding the very high rates of non-completion of courses by first year students with particular reference to the institutes that have not yet undertaken a thorough statistical study of uncertified departures from certificate and diploma courses. [1082/99]

Denis Naughten

Question:

103 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, he has made to establish a database to track those who drop out at institute of technology and university levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3670/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79 and 103 together.

Information is not readily available from all the institutes of technology and universities on the numbers of students who fail to complete third level courses. The reasons for drop out are complex. There is no simple explanation and no one simple initiative that will address the issue. Factors such as motivation, capabilities and suitability are all involved. There must also, of course, be a balance between completion rates on programmes and maintaining the necessary, objective standards. The challenge of maximising completion rates, consistent with maintaining appropriate standards is a matter, in the first instance, for individual universities, institutes of technology and the National Council for Education Awards.

In relation to the university sector, the Higher Education Authority carried out a study in 1994, which indicated a completion rate of 81 per cent, which is high by international standards, for those entering in 1989-90. The authority has commissioned the Educational Research Centre, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra to undertake a further detailed study in this area and a report should be available by the end of 1999.

The annual returns submitted by the institutes of technology to my Department do not provide specific data in relation to the drop out rates. However, a number of initiatives have been taken in the sector to assist the compilation of a data base on attrition/drop out rates and to develop appropriate strategies to address the issues. The council of directors of the institutes of technology has established a national committee on retention with representatives from each institute to focus on maximising success rates for institutes' students. The committee is currently assembling a profile of current good practice in relation to retention across the sector. This profile will be made available to all institutes of technology. The Committee is preparing recommendations in relation to the funding of action projects/programmes both short and long-term based on best practice.

Institutes of technology have introduced a range of initiatives and support services seeking to improve completion rates. These include induction/orientation programmes, course information services, tutor services and systems designed for the early identification of "at risk" first year students.

Three institutes – Dundalk, Carlow and Tralee – have recently completed a pilot study on retention rates for first year students. These findings will inform the national working group.

At the request of the Department, the council of directors has commissioned the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, to undertake a comprehensive study on the issue of non-completion in the Institutes, which will consist of a quantitative analysis to track a cohort of students over a four year period and a qualitative study of students who leave without graduating.
The research project team is currently undertaking a visit to each of the institutes of technology and is developing a standard format to which institutes of technology can respond to the variables that influence progression/retention for each course.
As part of a two-year funding initiative to tackle educational disadvantage at third level, I recently announced that I am providing £1.5 million over the period 1999-2000 to address the issue of non-completion of courses in the technological sector. I am also actively addressing the provision of science and technology in second level schools, a provision of particular importance in preparing persons for successful participation in technical courses at third level.
A computerised management information systems project is currently in progress as part of the ongoing work to establish modern financial and administrative systems for the institutes of technology. The project has the aim of supporting the efficient and effective administration of the institutions and providing both the institutions and my Department with timely and accurate management information for a variety of purposes. This new system will provide enhanced information on attrition and the results from the initiatives above will be fed into this project.
It is also of note that in its consultative process background document which was published in September 1998, the Commission on the Points System included the results of a sample study on the relationship between performance in the leaving certificate and performance in higher education. The outcome of the research indicated,inter alia, that non-completion of courses, either due to drop out or failure, is especially acute among those with lowest leaving certificate scores at entry. In particular, 2 per cent of the sample failed final year, 3 per cent were still attending higher education, 7 per cent passed first year and withdrew, 7 per cent failed first year and withdrew and a further 7 per cent did not sit first year examinations. The research team engaged by the commission is now undertaking a more detailed analysis of the sample of students and the commission aims to publish the outcome of this analysis in the next few months.
Top
Share