Vol. 379 No. 3
asked the Minister for Education if she will immediately notify schools who at present have transition year programmes as to whether she is prepared to consider applications for their continuation in the academic school year 1988-1989, as they cannot make plans for students or parents without that information.
26.
asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider her decision to abolish the transitional year; and her proposals to organise second level education on a five year cycle.
141.
asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among parents, managers and teachers regarding the uncertainty created by her Government's policy in relation to the six year cycle, transition year and VPT programmes in schools; and if she will clarify this matter in view of the confusion which exists in schools.
142.
asked the Minister for Education if it is her intention to abolish the transition year which is at present operating very successfully in Newpark comprehensive school, Blackrock, County Dublin.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 26, 141 and 142 together.
Circular Letter M85/85, introduced the requirement that, with effect from the beginning of the 1986-87 school-year the junior cycle be of three years' duration, and the leaving certificate course be of two years' duration in all schools. This circular was issued in the context of the Ages for Learning document. A transition year at post intermediate level was envisaged as developing in some schools.
All transition year programmes are currently sanctioned on an annual basis and are currently under review. I hope to inform schools of my decision in this regard in the near future.
I am not aware of any widespread concern among parents or confusion in schools in relation to the VPT programmes. The aim of the programme is to help young people in their transition from school to adult and working life by the provision of technical training, work experience and personal development.
May I assure the Minister there is widespread concern. Every year I know that schools have to get renewed permission to have a transition year. The confusion and alarm arises in the context of the Minister's assertion that all schools will be reduced to a five year cycle. The problem is that the schools have not been asked to apply for the transition year next year. There are approximately 74 schools with a transition year. May I ask the Minister if, within a short period, she will tell the principals of those schools what is the position. The concern has now spread to the point where at my clinics groups of parents and teachers are coming to me saying that they do not know where they are going. In the light of the widespread concern that all schools will be reduced to five years and will have no transition year, will the Minister inform the schools who have transition years what their future is and how soon can we expect that?
I understood that the number of schools was 69 as there was a falling back of five schools last year. I am not quite clear on that but I think it is 69. I believe that schools have to plan and have to plan adequately for their courses but it was 10 May last year——
When there was a change of Government.
——when they were told of their allocation. As I told the Deputy before in the context of the Fine Gael budget the transition year was to be abolished.
That is not true.
We managed to save those already there. I take the point the Deputy is making that the schools would need to know. The Deputy asked when I hope to be able to inform them of their position one way or another. I certainly hope to be able to tell them their position at mid to end April at the very latest.
The difference this year is that there is a general assumption, rightly or wrongly, among second level schools that they will all be reduced to five years. That is the different position which exists now that did not exist before.
I will certainly do my best.
I am asking the Minister to put the people out of their misery as they do not know what to do next year. They do not know how to plan. Parents are asking principals and the principals cannot tell them. In view of the different situation that exists I am asking the Minister to bring that date forward far sooner than the end of April. That date is much too late for any school principal of a large school to plan for next year.
I said from mid to end April and I will do my best to keep within that time span.
