Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 2

Written Answers. - Under Graduate Degree Courses.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

240 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received the report from the Educational Research Centre on their survey of completion rates in under-graduate degree courses; if so, the main findings of the report; if he will immediately make the report available to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29973/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The Higher Education Authority commissioned the Educational Research Centre at St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin, to undertake a survey of completion rates in undergraduate degree courses in the seven universities. While I have not received the report, I understand that the study has now been complete and that the authority is arranging to have the report printed and that it will be publicly available early next year.

At the request of my Department, the Council of Directors of the Institutes of Technology commissioned the Education Research Centre, Drumcondra, to undertake a comprehensive study of the issue of non-completion in the institute of technology sector. This study consists of the following two phases: a quantitative analy sis to track a cohort of students over a four-year period; and a qualitative study of students' attitudes.

The ERC began preliminary work on the project in April 1998. The first phase of the study was presented at a special meeting of the council of directors at the end of August 2000. It is expected that the report on the first phase will be formally presented to my Department shortly. The second phase of the study commenced at the beginning of November 2000 and is expected to be completed in May 2001. This qualitative study will also be presented to the council of directors and will in turn be presented to my Department.