Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
108. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recent OECD report on the reform of the leaving certificate which highlighted the lack of engagement of higher and further education institutions and of the enterprise sector in the development of reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43170/20]
View answerI understand, based on the information available to me, that the recommendations of the OECD report in question were presented to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) last year, and actions have been taken since then to engage further and higher education providers, and the enterprise sector, in the reform process.
The Senior Cycle Review process (2017-2020) is led by the NCCA and comprised three phases. It offered many opportunities for education stakeholders to reflect on enduring and evolving elements of senior cycle education in Ireland.
The initial phase involved international research into upper secondary education in other jurisdictions. The second phase involved engagement with schools across the country, where students, parents, teachers, school leaders and other stakeholders shared their views on the senior cycle experience and the future of this stage of education. Phase three took the themes that emerged from phase two to a wider public audience. This public consultation phase included regional focus groups, online surveys and bilateral discussions with groups and organisations.
During the review, NCCA invited the OECD to conduct an assessment of the Senior Cycle Review process. This happened during the second phase of the review (2018-19) when the OECD team visited Ireland and met with various stakeholders, including teachers, principals, and students, to hear their views on the process of review. The findings of the OECD assessment were presented at the NCCA Senior Cycle Consultation Conference in October 2019 and the OECD report, Education in Ireland: an OECD Assessment of Senior Cycle Review, was presented to NCCA Council in November 2019.
The policy assessment presented in the OECD report took stock of the NCCA senior cycle review process, provided feedback on progress made and offered recommendations that informed the design of the third phase of the review, a wide public consultation that took place in 2019. On foot of specific OECD recommendations the NCCA held a series of bilateral consultations with representatives of further and higher education and with industry representatives, including IBEC. The NCCA has also established a Standing Groups with both the HEA and SOLAS to ensure continued structured engagement with these key stakeholders.
I am satisfied that steps have been taken to remedy the lack of engagement highlighted in the OECD report in question, and will ensure that higher education and further providers continue to be consulted as the Leaving Certificate reform process continues.
