Report urges radical overhaul of second-level curriculum

A RADICAL overhaul of the second-level curriculum is required to help prevent early school leaving, according to a report from the Oireachtas Committee on Education.

The report found that one in six pupils – which it calls the “forgotten children” – drop out before the Leaving Cert exam.

Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who helped compile the report, said this marginalised group are often unemployed, can’t read or write, get into trouble or drugs and can end up in prison

She said the Irish school system, which relies on a “one-size-fits-all” model, is fundamentally wrong.

“It doesn’t provide equality of opportunity. As policy makers, it is incumbent on us to find out where the system is falling down, attempt to right the wrongs and work towards contributing to better lives for all our children.’’

The main proposals include;

A review of the second-level school curriculum provision to make it more relevant to needs of young people at risk of early school leaving;

The establishment of a new national literacy strategy;

The development of an emotional/ therapeutic service for second-level schools to tackle the rise in mental health problems and suicide among male youths.

Increased availability of Junior Cycle School Programme (JCSP) and Leaving Cert Applied (LCA);

The establishment of a new national database to identify and track children at risk of early school leaving.

The Report, Staying in Education: A New Way Forward, took more than 18 months to research. More than 40 early school leavers from at-risk groups were interviewed.

The report was drafted with the assistance of Dr Jude Cosgrove, a researcher with the Education Research Centre in Drumcondra.

Last night the Minister of State for Education Seán Haughey said the Government will continue to invest in tackling early school leaving through a comprehensive range of supports. “The renewed programme for government reinforces my commitment to support children in disadvantaged schools.”