Boost for Leaving Cert business

THE IRISH TIMES Business 2000 project, which is designed to improve standards in business education at second level, has just been launched by Minister for Education Niamh Bhreatnach.

The project is curriculum-led and deals with the compulsory case study section of the new business course.

This innovative, multimedia project will involve the participation of over 30 businesses, has the support of the Department of Education, media sponsorship from The Irish Times and will be available to all of the 800 schools offering the new Leaving Cert business subject from September next.

Each of the 30 companies taking part in the project will present a case study of its business in a laminated A3-size portfolio for use in the classroom. The Irish Times, as the media sponsor, will provide a Business News Guide to accompany the series of relevant and stimulating company case studies. This will form part of the curriculum for the new subject, business, which is to replace business organisation in the Leaving Cert curriculum.

And Education and Living, in 15 articles over the course of the school year, will provide extra material on topics on the curriculum - especially those of a current nature - so that students can be made aware of the most recent developments in the business world.

The project provides an opportunity for business to communicate with the 120,000 students taking the subject at this level. While primarily aimed at those studying business, it will also be relevant to students of economics and those interested in a career in business.

The Irish Times Business 2000 pack will contain:

(a) case studies from leading Irish companies including project assignments, CD-ROM containing a company profile, case study and project work for students;

(b) teacher's guide;

(c) curriculum matrix illustrating how each case study links directly with curriculum topics;

(d) The Irish Times Business News Guide;

(e) teacher's questionnaire/help desk.

The pack, which will be distributed free of charge to every second-level school in the State in the autumn, is attractively presented in a ring binder. There will be good graphic and pictorial presentations. The members of the writing team are all experienced business teachers and authors.

The Irish Times Business News Guide is designed to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the language of the business world and to help them relate to the case studies in depth and appreciate the realities of business dynamics. A section in this newspaper's Business and Finance page on alternate Mondays will be devoted to encouraging students to track progress and study developments of business organisations, the key industrial sectors, the impact of government and EU decisions, deregulation, the impact of privatisation and other current issues.