Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Higher Diploma in Education.

Mr. Deenihan

I thank the Minister for being present in the House to reply to this matter.

In 1997 more than 5,100 applications were made for a place on a Higher Diploma in Education course in one of the five colleges offering the course, namely TCD, UCC, UCG, UCD and St. Patrick's College, Maynooth. There were probably 2,300 applicants as no doubt some people applied to more than one college. Eight hundred applicants were offered a places on a course.

In the case of UCG there were 1,455 applications for 185 places. The selection was based on 50 per cent random selection and 50 per cent academic results. It basically depended on how well one did in one's last examination. In the case of UCC there were 965 applications for 185 places. The selection was based on academic results, including experience with youth clubs, teaching, extra curricular activities and additional qualifications.

In the case of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth there were 1,300 applications for 150 places. Selection was based on academic results, suitability of subjects for teaching and the quality of the application form. In the case of Trinity College there were 989 applications for 110 places and 600 applicants were interviewed. Selection was based on academic achievement, a personal statement on experience etc., and references. In the case of UCD there were 1,450 applications for 170 places. Selection was on the basis of 50 per cent random selection and 50 per cent academic achievement. The only hope ordinary graduates have of getting a place is through random selection. However, this is a 17 to one chance as most applicants have honours degrees or Masters and are teaching.

The system is very unfair and not enough people are being given a place on a course. There are not sufficient places for everyone but the number should be increased. In addition, the procedures should be standardised. An article in The Irish Times of 11 March stated:

The Department of Education is to consider the establishment of a centralised application procedure for students of the Higher Diploma in Education following representations from the USI and other organisations. According to a spokesman for the Department of Education, representations have been received and the Department is consulting with the Higher Education Authority on the matter. It is hoped that the system could be in place for applicants in 1998.

I understand that this will not now be the case. This is unfortunate as a central clearing office, which presumably will be part of the CAO, would facilitate applicants and simplify the procedure. Under this system there would be one application form, one fee and one office. The review group includes the heads of universities and representatives of the Department of Education and the Higher Education Authority. It is very important that they come to a decision as quickly as possible.

We must not regard a H.Dip. qualification as an entry to teaching only. It is an excellent qualification for entry to many other occupations and a good preparation for life. If graduates cannot get teaching jobs they may be able to get other jobs. This is a very important consideration.

Mr. Martin

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which is also of concern to me. When I was in Opposition I raised it on a number of occasions.

The Higher Diploma in Education is a one year post graduate qualification designed to prepare graduates for a career in teaching. I accept the Deputy's point that it is also relevant in other fields. The H.Dip. is currently offered by the education departments of Trinity College Dublin and the four universities of the National Universities of Ireland at Cork, Dublin, Galway and Maynooth. The current annual quota for admissions to the H.Dip. of 800 was set on the basis of a recommendation by the Higher Education Authority. Therein lies many of the problems. The introduction of this quota almost overnight created panic and many people who had left college without doing the H.Dip. suddenly applied for a place, thereby creating a huge logjam. The present situation is not satisfactory and there is much concern about the selection process. The colleges have also been put in an invidious position in terms of the number of applicants and the selection process. The Higher Education Authority's advice was based on the recommendations of a working group composed of representatives of the universities, my Department and the authority. The working group took account of the best available data on the demand for second level teachers.

The need for a quota for places on H.Dip. courses is based largely on the perceived demand for second level teachers. This, in turn, is related to the employment opportunities for H.Dip. graduates. Decisions in relation to the quota must also be seen in the context of the necessity to direct scarce resources to address the skills needs of the economy. Resources are being targeted to priority areas to increase the output of technicians, students with proficiency in languages and graduates in computer science.

The working group, which is under the chairmanship of the Higher Education Authority and is supported by an analyst and statistician, has been reconvened to undertake an in-depth review of future needs for second-level teachers. The terms of reference of this working group are: to develop a model which may be used to forecast future aggregate patterns of supply and demand for second level teachers; to use this model to produce forecasts for the period up to 2016 and to illustrate the impact of varying key assumptions on these projections and to provide alternative forecasts based on a number of assumptions; to review current patterns of intake by subject or subject area and to seek to establish demand forecasts by subject area as a basis for forward planning of supply — this aspect of the work would also have regard to specialist teacher requirements such as home economics, art, music, etc.; to make recommendations on required intake levels on an aggregate basis and by subject or subject type; to identify gaps in data which should be used as a basis for ongoing review and refining of future supply and demand for teachers; and to determine the required intake levels to the H.Dip. programmes followed by the determination of specialist teacher needs outside these programmes.

The working group is examining all relevant factors such as pupil numbers, pupil-teacher ratios, teacher retirements and career breaks. Pending receipt and examination of the recommendations of the working group I am not in a position to make an announcement at this stage. It is not possible to make a decision for the 1997-98 school year in November but I intend early in the new year to meet the education departments of universities to discuss H.Dip. courses and whether reform is required. This will take place in parallel with the work of the working group which I hope will report back to me as quickly as possible. This is a serious issue for young people who wish to pursue a career in teaching. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and I hope to be able to report progress on it in a few months.

Mr. Deenihan

I understand a good Kerry man is in charge of the working group.

Mr. Martin

Kerry people stick together.