asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that there is growing public confusion regarding the many and varied education documents which have issued in the last 12 to 18 months viz. — the Action Plan for Education, a Green Paper, Partners in Education, Ages of Learning, consultative curriculum documents etc. and that there is a need for clarity on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Education Documents.
56.
I cannot accept the Deputy's contention that there is public confusion regarding the documents mentioned as each sets out clearly what its purposes are and the precise issues in question. I am satisfied that the documents in question have been broadly welcomed by the public at large. In the case of consultative curriculum documents, the Deputy will be aware that these are published by the Curriculum and Examinations Board and that they are intended to stimulate discussion among the various educational interests; they do not purport to represent the definitive views of the board nor do they represent official policy.
Is the Minister aware that there has been a plethora of documents issued in the last 12 months to two years all purporting to be busy with education and that the public are bemused and perplexed with the various issued they read about and the various colours of documents which are issued? Is the Minister also aware that there is no decent primary school for their children, that there is no choice of subject or not enough choice of subject at second level and that it is difficult for students to get into a third level college? The complexity of the various documents is a smokescreen for actual inactivity or provision of resources.
I do not accept that they are either too complex or cause too much confusion. The Ages for Learning document clearly sets out that the new programme will be phased in and that they are subject to ministerial approval. The action programme has been implemented with respect to virtually all items contained in it.
Indeed it has not.
A progress report has been issued each year outlining the steps taken and the next progress report is due in January 1987. There is no need for confusion about the Green Paper. Everybody understands that it is a paper for discussion. Submissions have been received from many organisations and consultations have been held and are now being evaluated.
Founded on a confused mind.
There is no one more aware of the need for consultation rather than confrontation than myself, as I was involved in the education process for so long. I submit to the Minister that consultation has gone on for far too long. The issue of documents is no substitute for action where it is needed, in the provision of resources. The public are quite bemused at the further issue of more and more consultative documents and the daily headlines which read; no more inter certificate, no more leaving certificate, new exam for this and new exam for that. What they want is stability and authority in the provision of educational resources.
The Deputy will agree that the action programme, Decisions of Government, stimulated a great deal of interesting discussions from interested people. Action has been taken rather than discussion on quite a number of these aspects. The next report published in January will indicate that quite clearly.
The action plan proposed things that would not be done, things that economic restraints would not allow. The action plan implies that consideration will be given to this later in the light of prevailing economic circumstances.
I do not know whether or not the Deputy has read the last report fully but it indicates that something has been done about practically all of the suggestions.
I have read every report and reports on the reports day and night.
Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs.
It is a good thing to have education documents to read.
57.
asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position with regard to the Code of Discipline Report which has been with his Department now for some considerable time.
The report of the Committee on School Discipline was published in October 1985 and copies were circulated to all schools. In addition, representatives of the school management authorities and parents were invited to discuss the recommendations and to make written submissions. The study of those submissions which have been received and consideration of the outcome of the consultations held is now virtually complete and I hope to be in a position to announce my responses to the recommendations in the report before the end of the present school term.
The last time I asked that question which was six months ago the Minister told me that he would have them in place for the academic year beginning September 1986. That is now past. Can I take it that the Minister is quite definite in his commitment to have the recommendations on the report implemented in time for January 1987?
Before the end of the present school term. One of the important aspects of this was that the national parents' council set up by my predecessor wished to make comments with regard to this matter. These comments are being awaited.
That is another delaying tratic.
The Minister expects to be in a position to respond finally before the end of the present school term with regard to this matter.
Deputy Haughey has been given permission to put a question on Private Notice to the Minister for Social Welfare. Will he read the question, please?