asked the Minister for Education whether his attention has been drawn to an article entitled "Vocational Guidance" of 3rd May; whether he has any comment to make on the suggestions for the improvement of vocational guidance within the educational system made in this article; whether his Department has at present under consideration any steps which might be taken to improve this aspect of the educational system, and if so, what steps; and whether, owing to the extremely high failure rate of 45 per cent. in the first year in University College, Dublin, his Department, in conjunction with the universities, will consider the questions of university entrance standards and requirements generally in order to avoid such wastage among first year students.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vocational Guidance.
27.
The entire question of vocational guidance is under consideration in my Department. I may mention that a pilot scheme of vocational guidance for pupils attending full-time day courses in vocational schools in Dublin City has been instituted by the Committee, in consultation with and under the sanction of the Department.
The failure rate in any university is a matter for the university authorities concerned. Incidentally, a high failure rate in the First University Examination is a problem common to most countries and is not necessarily attributable to academic causes.