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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Programme.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

92 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the emphasis on the points system at the expense of vocational training within the education system; and the plans he has to address this problem. [21488/00]

In recent years, successive Governments have adopted a policy of broadening the inclusiveness of the traditional senior cycle. In line with that policy, a transition year programme has been developed and the traditional leaving certificate programme has been broadened to incorporate three strands, the established leaving certificate, the leaving certificate vocational programme, and the leaving certificate applied.

In 2000, about 23% of the candidates who sat the leaving certificate followed either the leaving certificate vocational or the leaving certificate applied programme. The leaving certificate and the leaving certificate vocational programme have been broadened considerably over the past decade. They are broad general educational programmes with some academic subjects and a number of practical-vocational subjects. Within the leaving certificate vocational programme, participants take a specific element link modules preparation for work, work experience and enterprise education.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently undertaking a review of senior cycle education in the medium to long-term and will publish a discussion document in 2001. Particular attention will be given in the review to breadth and balance of subjects in the established leaving certificate.

The leaving certificate applied programme has been designed specifically for those for whom the other two programmes might not be considered suitable and who may be in danger of not completing the senior cycle. The NCCA has conducted a survey of the destination of those who have completed the LCA in each of the years 1997 to 1999 and on average 40% were employed with 35% in vocational training programmes each year.

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