Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
460 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the key recommendations of the McIver report on the future of post-leaving certificate courses; the number of these recommendations which have already been acted upon; if the implementation group has set out a time schedule for the implementation of the remaining recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28900/04]
View answerPost-leaving certificate courses are labour market programmes, aimed at providing vocational education and training for school leavers and re-entrants to the labour market. The courses are full time and include modules in general education, vocational training and work experience. Some courses also offer alternative pathways to higher education.
The courses are delivered primarily in schools and colleges under the management of the vocational education committees, with some courses also being provided in secondary, community and comprehensive schools.
The McIver report on the post leaving certificate review was commissioned by my Department to examine the sector and make recommendations regarding the organisational, support, development, technical and administrative structures and resources required in schools and colleges with large scale post leaving certificate, PLC, provision, having regard to good practice in related areas across the system and in other countries. The final report was completed in April 2003.
The report contains 21 over-arching recommendations, incorporating more than 90 sub-recommendations. The principal recommendations are: a reduction in the number of timetabled class teaching hours and appropriate increases in staff to compensate; enhancement of senior and middle management structures to allow more time for assessment, student support and interaction, team development and cross curricular planning, industry liaison and quality assurance processes; an increase in technical and administrative support staff; improvements in student library, IT and social facilities and capital infrastructure; new programme support services; and the establishment of a council of further education colleges.
My Department is currently engaged in discussions with the Irish Vocational Education Association and the Teachers' Union of Ireland regarding the structural changes envisaged in the report, their implications and costs.
