Angela Rickard, ITE, Dublin:

Transcription

1 Angela Rickard, ITE, Dublin: Ireland Educational system - summary The state provides free education at all three levels. All children attend primary school and follow a national curriculum from age 4 to age 12. Second level education follows from age 12 to 18. School attendance is compulsory until age 15. There are four types of second level schools: secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive. They follow similar state set curricula, but vary in the range of subjects available, and differ in their management structures. The study of the Irish language is compulsory in primary and second level schools unless the child has lived outside the country until age 11. Pupils diagnosed with severe specific learning difficulties can apply for an exemption. At the end of the third year of secondary education, the junior cycle, most students sit the state Junior Certificate Examinations. Students can then do a two or three year senior cycle and then sit the state Leaving Certificate Examinations in six to eight subjects. Third level education (i.e. an undergraduate degree) is available free in state institutions to those who qualify academically. 1:2.2.1 (a) (Intermediate) secondary schools Irish secondary schools are the product of private and in the main, denominational initiatives. The Intermediate Education (Ireland) Act, 1878 established the Intermediate Education Board for Ireland and imposed a duty on the Board under section 5 to pay fees to Managers of schools. This indirect State funding was made on the basis of student success rates in public examinations. The payment by results system was replaced by capitation (1922) and capital expenditure (1964) grants. The courses provided are of an academic nature geared towards university entrance and the professions (civil service) and culminate in the Leaving Certificate. Originally managed by managers, most Irish secondary schools now have Boards Of (BOM.) 1:2.2.1 (b) Vocational schools Vocational schools are the non-denominational successors of the technical schools established under the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction Act Modern vocational schools are schools established under the Vocational Education Act, 1930 to provide both technical and continuation education under the control of local Vocational Education Committees established for vocational education areas. They are financially supported partly from local rates. There are 249 Vocational schools and community colleges. 1:2.2.1 (c) Community colleges

2 Undesignated community colleges are in fact vocational schools. Designated community colleges established by Deed of Trust with denominational partners are under the control of VECs and the Department of Education. 1:2.2.1 (d) Comprehensive schools On May 20th, 1963 Dr Patrick Hillery, then Minister for Education announced his intention to establish comprehensive post-primary day schools to provide three year courses in both academic and vocational disciplines for Intermediate Examination students. During the three years tests would show whether the student's bent was academic or technical and if they passed the Intermediate Certificate the student could proceed to the secondary or technical courses. School buildings would be provided by the State and the State would pay the teachers entire salary directly. They would be managed by a committee of management. They would signpost the way to an integrated post-primary system. No new comprehensive schools have been established since the development of community schools and colleges. There are 16 Comprehensive schools. 1:2.2.1 (e) Community schools In November 1965 in a speech to the Cork branch of Tuairim Mr George Colley, TD, Minister for Education said that uncordinated building of secondary and vocational schools could not continue indefinitely, that the State would have to intervene. A county by county survey of post-primary school needs was initiated. In January 1966 in a letter to Secondary and Vocational school authorities he stated that the operation of two rigidly separated post-primary systems could no longer be maintained, that there should be a pooling of forces so that the shortcomings of one system would be met from the resources of the other. In the 1968 Autumn edition of Studies, Sean O'Connor, then Secretary of the Department stated: `single community schools are the rational requirement in most centres outside the large urban areas.' In October 1970 a document headed Community schools was sent by the department to the Catholic Hierarchy and this document was published in the Irish Times on November 12th of that year. The capital costs, site, buildings, equipment etc., would be met in full out of public funds subject to an agreed local contribution and the running costs would be funded directly and in full by the Department of Education. Community schools would be governed by BOMs consisting of representatives of secondary school managers and the local VEC. Community schools would be governed by a Board Of consisting of representatives of the secondary school managers and the local VEC with an independent chairman. The representation of particular interests would vary depending on the circumstances of each case. There are 66 Community Schools. There is no statutory basis for comprehensive or community schools. 1:2.2.1 (f) Special secondary schools

3 Provision is made for pupils with special educational needs until they cease to be of school age or to receive school education, whichever is the later. A range of provision exists at the secondary stage, from mainstream classes, perhaps with learning support, to special classes or units within mainstream schools. Children with particular difficulties for whom a mainstream school is not suitable may attend special schools where teachers and support staff are able to deliver appropriate methods of teaching and care. There are three types of special school. 1:2.2.1 (g) Special Education Needs (SEN) On 2nd August 2001 it was announced by Dr Michael Woods, TD, Minister for Education and Science, that the Government had approved a range of new and enhanced measures for the education of people with special needs and disabilities. These included: a new Disabilities (Education and Training) Bill a Special Needs Education Forum additional psychologists for the NEPSA a Group on second-level education for all SEN children the accelerated establishment of the National Council for Special Education. The Group of senior officers established within the DES was tasked to investigate and to examine existing second-level services for all SEN children, to determine whether they met the needs of those for whom they were intended and to make recommendations for improvements and enhancements where appropriate. They were to report early in the forthcoming school term. 1:2.2.1 (h) Independent schools A very small percentage of the school population attend fee-paying schools in the independent sector. Independent schools provide education from age three to 18. Schools vary in size from small to large, some are single-sex, some are partly or wholly co-educational. Most of the schools are charitable foundations, some of which were established to promote a particular educational specialism, for example, music or philosophy, such as the Rudolf Steiner schools, schools for foreign nationals and schools for religious minority groups. Most of the schools offer scholarships and bursaries at entry to the senior school and other stages. Each school has its own admissions policy and entry requirements, which will be clearly described in the school's prospectus.

4 The Structure of the Irish Educational System Government & Minister for Education and Science Adult Education The National Adult Learning Council AONTAS Department of Education and Science 8 Universities: 14 Institutes of Technology: Third Level: Higher Education Authority (HEA) National University of Ireland (NUI) (4 universities + numerous recognized colleges) 1. University College Dublin, (NUI Dublin) 2. University College Cork (NUI Cork) 3. NUI Maynooth 4. NUI Galway The University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) (3 Colleges of Education) Dublin City University, (DCU) (2 colleges of Education) University of Limerick (UL) (1 College of Education) St. Patrick s Pontifical University, Maynooth Athlone Blanchardstown Carlow Dublin Dun Laoghaire (Art,Design) Dundalk Galway-Mayo Letterkenny Limerick Cork Sligo Tallaght Tralee Waterford HEA has a range of designated institutions including national institutions e.g. Colleges of Art, Business, Hotel & Tourism, Law,, Medicine, Music, Public Administration etc. Note: a number of these colleges are partially or wholly privately funded Teacher training: Second level: Consecutive university based training. First level: concurrent model in: one of 5 Colleges of Education C of I College of Education, Dublin (TCD) St. Pat's College, Dublin (DCU) Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (UL) Froebel College of Education, Dublin (TCD) Marino Institute of Education, Dublin (TCD) Colleges of Education for Home Economics: St. Angela's, Sligo & St. Catherine's, Dublin College of Education for the teaching of Religion: MaterDei Institute Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Third level qualifiactions Certificate (1 year) National Certificate (2 years) Diploma (Nat Cert + 1 year or 3 years ab initio) Bachelor Degree (3 or 4 year full-time course) Graduate/Higher Diploma (1 or 2 years) Master s Degree (1 3 years) Doctorate Degree (generally 1 or 2 years after the Master s degree) National Institutes relating directly to the DES: - Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) - An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta 7 Gaelscolaíochta - Commission for School Accommodation needs - Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies - National Education Welfare Board - Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) - Higher Education Authority (HEA) - Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) - ITÉ (Linguistics Institute) - International Education Board Ireland - Léargas The Exchange Bureau - National Centre for Guidance in Education - National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland - Residential Institution Redress Board - Royal Irish Academy - Royal Irish Academy of Music - National Educational Psychological Service - The President s Award: Gaisce

5 Central Applications Office (CAO) Co-ordinates applications for most Third Level Colleges Further Education and Training: The term Further Education embraces education and training which occurs after secondlevel schooling but which is not part of the third level system. The Department of Education and Science provides for programmes such as: Post Leaving Certificate courses, The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme for the unemployed Youthreach for early school leavers Senior Traveller Training Centre programmes for young and adult Travellers who have left school early adult literacy and community education self-funded part -time adult programmes in second-level schools. Second Level: - Junior Certificate - Transition Year - Established Leaving Certificate - Leaving Certificate Applied - Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Type of School Mode Funding Secondary & Secondary Voluntary Private Vocational Comprehensive Community Local Auth. or Board Committee All state-aided Board First Level: There are now over 450,000 children in primary education. Attendance at full-time education is compulsory for all children between six and sixteen years of age. Although children in Ireland are not obliged to attend school until the age of six, almost all children begin school in the September following their fourth birthday. Type of School Mode National (English & Irish speaking) Private: Patron + Board of Special e.g. Schools for the Blind Board or Private Private Primary Pre-School Nursery Private Private Private Funding State-aided Non state-aided Pre school a great percentage of four-year-olds and almost all five-year-olds are enrolled in the infant classes in primary schools. In this way, much of what is considered pre-school education in other countries (from age four to six) is provided, free of charge, for all children in Ireland. The Department of Education and Science also provides a number of targeted programmes for three year olds, including programmes for children with special needs, children of Travellers and children

6 experiencing social and economic disadvantage. The most extensive of these - the Early Start pilot preschool programm

7 e was established in October This one-year programme, for children aged three years, aims to provide children who are most at risk of educational disadvantage with an educational programme that will enhance their development and prevent failure at school. A White Paper on Early Childhood Education, Ready to Learn, was published in December, The White Paper provides a blueprint for developing and implementing a comprehensive early education policy. Teacher Training for second level teaching: Typically second level teachers complete a primary degree at university and then follow up with the Higher Diploma in Education: Consecutive model Institution Qualification Structure Components/Modules Assessment Duration September: The Theory of Education 1 year Induction course Philosophy of Education Examinations: Written Practical full-time Sample course from NUI Maynooth. H.Dip. in Education Observation week in school Psychology Sociology of Education and if necessary oral Assessments: Course works over the From October : History of Education and Contemporary year (Tues, Wed and Thurs) Issues in Irish Education Practical teaching: Failure in Lectures, tutorials, Curriculum Studies practical teaching precludes seminars and workshops Educational Technology entry to the written examinations Evaluation and Assessment Other courses offered in: NUI, Galway University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin. University College Cork. Reflective Teaching Video-recording and Collaborative Analysis of Classroom Teaching Classroom Interactive analysis Classroom management General and Specific Methods of Teaching/Teaching-Learning Seminars All participants are required to become competent in the application of information technologies (ICT) to teaching and learning Satisfactory attendance: at lectures and at the practice school Monday and Friday (+ month of January) with in-school cooperating teacher Teaching Practice supervisor Teaching & School Experience Teaching grade (of A to E) a portfolio of school work

8 Other courses for second level teachers: concurrent model Institution Qualification Structure Components/Modules Assessment Duration Religion: Four years full-time Mater Dei Institute of Education St. Angela's, Sligo B. Rel. Ed. B.Ed in Home Economics with Catechetic Elective Workshops with Tutors Assigned Group Planning of Lessons Laboratory Teaching (Playback, Analysis and Discussion) Preparation of Teaching File Independent Learning Time Teaching practice Religion, Education & an Arts subject English, History or Music: Religion 1. Scripture: 2. Systematic Theology: 3. Moral Theology: 4. Liturgy: 5. Religious Education: 6. Philosophy Home Economics: B. Ed. St. Angela's, Sligo (NUI) St. Catherine's, Dublin (TCD) B. Ed Home Economics & Biology B Ed. (Home Economics) Education Studies/Professional Studies Food Studies/Family Resource Textiles, Fashion & Design Biology Elective: Basic Science (Chemistry & Physics). Human Physiology. Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry. Microbiology, Genetics, Ecology. Continuous assessment based on written assignments, practical reports, examination of practical work and class presentation written examinations final year dissertation (10,000 word) Teaching practice: 3-5 wks/yr Combination of continuous assessment and final examinations Four years full-time Three years full-time (i) A three year course in general home economics, with specialisation in the fourth year chosen from one of the following: food studies, home and environment studies, textile studies. (ii) Education. (iii) One elective subject chosen from the following: economics and consumer studies,

9 Other courses taught for second level on a concurrent basis are Physical Education, Wood technology, Metal Technology and Art Gaeilge, religious studies.