Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 2

Written Answers. - Technical Subjects.

Michael Joe Cosgrave

Ceist:

27 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, he proposes to take to enhance the standing of technical subjects in the light of the recently published National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Report on the 1991 Leaving Certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Louis J. Belton

Ceist:

44 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, he proposes to take to enhance the standing of technical subjects, in the light of the recently published National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Report on the 1991 Leaving Certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Godfrey Timmins

Ceist:

46 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, he proposes to take to enhance the standing of technical subjects, in the light of the recently published National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Report on the 1991 Leaving Certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Joseph Doyle

Ceist:

82 Mr. Doyle asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, he proposes to take to enhance the standing of technical subjects; in the light of the recently published National Council for Curriculum and Assessment report on the 1991 Leaving Certificate examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mr. S. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 44, 46 and 82 together.

The Green Paper on Education lays particular emphasis on the need for a broad general education for all to completion of senior cycle. As part of the proposals to broaden the school curriculum it sets out a number of initiatives to develop curricula in the technical-technological areas. Details of those proposals are as follows:—

— the provision of a new subject, Enterprise and Technology which will be obligatory for all students initially in the junior cycle and extending to the senior cycle;

— the expansion of the vocational-technical options available to students within the Vocational Leaving Certificate Programme with the intention of expanding the numbers of Leaving Certificate participants in that programme from its present 5 per cent to 30 per cent;

— the development of a programme of vocational education and training which will be broad based rather than job specific aimed at promoting the achievement of high skill levels;

— the provision, with EC support, of a network of technological centres to serve a variety of needs in each catchment area;

— the development of vocational skill modules as part of the Leaving or Senior Certificate programme which would be coupled, wherever possible, with work experience.

I am satisfied that these proposals, when implemented, will provide for greater opportunities for students to follow programmes in technical subjects.