Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Third Level Drop Out Levels.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures, if any, he will put in place to offset the college drop out rate which has been estimated by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors to be in the region of 25 to 27 per cent each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8159/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The reasons for dropping 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 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 Educational Awards.

On 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.

A number of initiatives have been taken in the technological 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. The profile will be made available to all institutes of technology.

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.

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: (i) a quantitative analysis to track a cohort of students over a four year period; and (ii) 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 disadvantaged at third level, I recently announced that I have provided £1.5 million over the period 1999-2000 to address the issue of non-completion of courses in the technological sector. This funding will support and complement the programmes already in place and will have regard to the recommendations being prepared by the committee in relation to the funding of section projects-programmes both short and long-term based on best practice. 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.