asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the grave disquiet of parents of final year students in the National College of Physical Education, Limerick, that the degree awarded to them will not be generally recognised, as the National Council of Educational Awards will not continue to award degrees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physical Education Degree.
51.
Mr. R. Burke
I believe that I have already dispelled any disquiet felt by the parents of final year students in the National College of Physical Education, Limerick, by my statement of February, 18th, 1974, to the council of the NCEA.
In that statement I said that the NCEA were being empowered to award degrees in physical education to students of the NCPE who were successful in their examinations in 1975. I also stated that the Government had agreed to empower the NCEA to award degrees in respect of degree-level courses, already under way, which it was found that the universities were not at present in a position to validate. I added that this power to award degrees will remain with the council until the universities are prepared to undertake such validation.
Is it true that, on our advice, the Minister is retaining the title "National Council for Educational Awards"?
Mr. R. Burke
The title is being retained; the advice came from a number of quarters.
Mr. Kitt
Might I ask the Minister what was the reason for tampering with the National Council for Educational Awards in the first place?
Mr. R. Burke
There was not any substantial tampering with the council. In fact, their functions were widened under Government proposals.
Question No. 52 postponed.