Vol. 536 No. 1
171 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the drop out rates at the Dundalk and Letterkenny institutes of technology are considerably higher than at the other institutes of technology; and if this is related to course content, student population or other matters. [13383/01]
At the request of my Department, the council of directors commissioned the Education Research Centre, ERC, Drumcondra, to undertake a comprehensive study on the issue of non-completion in institutes of technology courses.
The first phase of the ERC study on non-completion was submitted to me by the council of directors on 23 February 2001. This phase of the study comprises a quantitative analysis of first-time entrants to the various institutes of technology over a four year period and provides broad statistical data in relation to the completion rates in the various institutes of technology.
The second phase of the study, which is currently under way, will focus on a qualitative analysis of students who leave courses in institutes of technology without graduating. I understand that the council of directors expect this part of the study to be completed later this year. On completion, the second phase of the study will provide information in relation to the reasons for the varying non-completion rates.
