Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
388. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a press release from one of the organisations (details supplied) involved in the recently published review of out-of-school education provision, which states that the data it provided in relation to the number of students achieving the Leaving Certificate was misrepresented in page 51 of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27505/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education to provide the data provided by each of the organisations involved in the recently published review of out-of-school education provision in relation to the number of students achieving the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together.
The review of out-of-school education provision, was conducted through a mixture of literature review of national and international examples of out-of-school education provision and a data gathering exercise from the sector.
This data was initially gathered in the form of a survey and followed up with a focus group with a sample of practitioners and young people who had attended out-of-school education provision. Stakeholders and interested parties had the opportunity to contribute to the review through written submissions and a consultation workshop.
Research in relation to the provision of education outside of the mainstream school setting was conducted using published research and statistics. This research was conducted on a mixture of retention and attainment statistical data from my Department, a number of published studies and other readily available research literature. This research provided a range of information on the current environment nationally and also on international best practice.
Given the diverse range and types of education provision outside of the mainstream school model, the initial phase of the review was a scoping process to understand what out-of-school provision was available outside of the mainstream system. This scoping exercise initially identified a number of non-mainstream education providers.
In order to develop a better understanding of what the current provision for out-of-school education looked like, a data gathering exercise was carried out. This data gathering exercise was conducted through the circulation of a questionnaire to 22 schools, centres and programmes within the scope of the review. The questionnaire requested information in relation to the structure, governance and funding of the education provider, the students who are attending and the pedagogy of the education provision. The questionnaire was circulated to the 22 out-of-school education providers identified at the time as being within the scope of the review. There was a 100% response rate to the questionnaire.
The report states that “ Because of the various approaches, levels and range of certification it is difficult to draw comparisons between outcomes across the different centres”.
The overall context is reflected in the report.
I am aware of the press release from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. The purpose of the review was to give a general overview of the sector and the data quoted and referred to in this press release did not have a material impact on the recommendations of the report. My officials will be following up directly with the centre concerned in relation to the specific issues raised.
