Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris to meet with Education Committee on Leaving Certificate Reform

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will resume its  examination of Leaving Certificate Reform with a roundtable discussion on Reform referring specifically to Higher and Further Education Requirements, Vocational Options and Career Paths at its meeting, Tuesday, 02 November with Mr. Simon Harris, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and representatives from statutory Higher & Further Education bodies.

The meeting will be broadcast from Committee Room 2 at 11 am. Mr. Simon Harris, TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Mr Andrew Brownlee, Chief Executive Officer, SOLAS;  Dr John O’Connor, Qualifications Directorate, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and Mr. Tim Conlon, Head of Policy and Strategic Planning, Higher Education Authority (HEA)  are due to attend the committee. 

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Cathaoirleach, Paul Kehoe TD, said: “The meeting is an important one as we will hear from Mr. Simon Harris. the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other key statutory bodies in Further and Higher Education. While more than 70% of second level students choose to enter higher education directly after the Leaving Certificate, there are many other entries and pathways including further education and apprenticeships.”

The Cathaoirleach added:  “The Committee will discuss what the Minister and the Further and Higher Education providers identify as the key areas that need reform, with a focus on Higher and Further Education Requirements, Vocational Options and Career Paths. The Committee looks forward to hearing the views of the Minister, SOLAS, the HEA and QQI and having a wider conversation about the reform of the Leaving Certificate in terms of the transition to further and higher education.”

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad. You can view the meeting in Committee Room 2 on the Oireachtas website. More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.