asked the Minister for Education whether in view of the likelihood of young Irish men and women having in the near future to compete much more directly with the youth of other European countries within the framework of the Common Market, and in view of the extreme conservatism of the Irish educational system, particularly in its secondary branch, he will take steps to bring the Irish educational system rather more into line with modern educational practice as found in other European countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Irish Educational System.
34.
I do not accept the Deputy's assumption that the Irish educational system generally, or any of its branches, is characterised by extreme conservatism, nor am I aware of any grounds for such an assertion.
Accordingly, the question put by the Deputy does not arise.
Does the Minister mean to tell us that the educational system which has been in existence here over the past 40 years almost is sufficient to meet our requirements on the eve of our entry to the Common Market? The Taoiseach and other prominent people are going up and down the country exhorting our people to prepare themselves.
The Deputy is now making a speech.
The question is: is the Department of Education, which is basically the most important Department from the point of view of preparing our people for entry to the Common Market, not going to make any preparation?
The Deputy is under a misapprehension if he thinks no changes have occurred in the system or that the system cannot be adapted to rapidly changing needs. I can, if the House wishes, give a list of at least 50 changes made in the past few years to adapt our system of education to changing needs. I expect the system will be capable of further adapting to any needs that arise.
Would the Minister tell us why so many headmasters at celebrations of past pupils' unions complain about our present secondary school education system?
The number of headmasters who do not complain is very much greater than the number who get into the headlines.
35.
asked the Minister for Education whether his Department make any study, formal or informal, of educational theory in general or of the educational systems of other countries; and, if so, whether he will state in what way any such study has affected the present practice of the Department.
My Department is in close and constant touch with educational thought and practice in other countries generally, and especially with that in European countries and the United States.
Such contact with the countries mentioned is maintained mainly through the Council of Europe, O.E.C.D. (the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development), UNESCO and the International Bureau of Education, of which bodies this country is a member. It is maintained also by means of frequent visits by officials of the Department to these countries.
One of the principal effects of such contact is to enable the Department to see to it that our standards of education are kept abreast of those of comparable countries, which I am satisfied is generally the case.