Nora Owen
Question:107 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives, if any, he has developed to tackle the high non-completion rate in third level courses. [3162/00]
Written Answers. - Third Level Drop-Out Rates.
Question:
119 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to collate drop-out rates from institutes of technology and universities; the measures, if any, he is taking to reduce these rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3342/00]
Tom Enright
Question:165 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one in five students fails to finish his or her first year in third level college; the plans, if any, he has to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3339/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 119 and 165 together.
The Higher Education Authority carried out a study in 1994, which indicated a completion rate of 81% across the university sector, which compares favourably with international experience. The Authority has commissioned the Educational Research Centre, Drumcondra, to undertake a further detailed study in this area and I understand the study is expected to be completed shortly. The study will consider a range of factors as to their effect on completion rates, such as socio-economic factors, entry requirements, time of enrolment, availability of repeat examinations and the transition from second to third level education.
The Institutes of Technology have also commissioned a similar study from the Educational Research Centre and a comparable study is also being undertaken by the Dublin Institute of Technology in conjunction with the ERC. My Department is funding these projects. A total of £1.5 million has been earmarked specifically to address the issue of non-completion of courses in the technological sector in 1999 and 2000, of which £0.5 million was spent in 1999. This funding supports and complements the programmes already in place and will have regard to the recommendations of the National Committee on Retention, which was established by the Council of Directors of the Institutes of Technology, on the funding of action projects-programmes both short and long-term based on best practice.
In addition the institutes of technology have allocated £8 of the students' services charge to projects linked to access and completionnon-completion.
A recent study conducted by three institutes of technology showed a non-completion rate among first years across the institutes of technology of approximately 37%. The study showed that there is a wide range of social, personal, academic, institutional and financial factors influencing retention. Failure in examinations can reflect many factors, including the basic ability of students, attendance and commitment, resources and support structures, entry standards, teaching methods and quality. These issues become more critical as the percentage of the age cohort securing places in third level education increases. Other factors include motivation often related to the course preference secured by the student, departure to another institution shortly after registration, departure from college to repeat the leaving certificate and personal reasons.
Work is ongoing in all institutes to address the issue of non-completion including the assignment from this year of a dedicated member of the academic staff to work with students and staff to develop mechanisms aimed at improving retention rates. Work is also being done in collaboration with the National Centre for Guidance in Education, the post-primary inspectorate and the Department with a view to developing other positive actions in this area.