asked the Minister for Education if she intends continuing with the technical leaving certificate for students who are required to take two out of the following three subjects (a) technical drawing, (b) construction studies and (c) engineering, thus discriminating against female students who would not have taken these subjects and who would have great difficulty in pursuing the technical leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Technical Leaving Certificate.
91.
The leaving certificate vocational programme is a development and reformulation of existing provision to provide for a strong technological element within upper secondary education. It has been welcomed by school authorities. It has a particular emphasis related to the new technologies and the European dimension.
It is true that boys and boy's schools have had a stronger tradition in technological subjects. To redress this imbalance, my Department are actively encouraging and facilitating greater participation by girls and girls' schools in these subjects.
As a result of this policy I anticipate an increase in the number of girls coming through from junior cycle who have the necessary grounding in technological subjects to enable them to participate in this programme to the same extent as boys, if they so wish. In view of its success so far, I propose to continue with this programme for the foreseeable future.