50 Steps to a better education system
Over the next 12 months, the Green Party will be unveiling a series of proposals aimed at improving our education system. Week by week, we will be looking at all levels of education, but with a particular focus on getting the early years right.
Each of our ?50 Steps to a Better Education System? will be aimed at ensuring that our society is healthy, creative and balanced and that as a people we are well positioned to meet the economic and social challenges of the 21st century.
While some of the steps proposed will be radical, we are not necessarily talking about reinventing the wheel. Our focus will be on two areas: Where the system needs to be changed; or where targeted funding is needed to make existing ideas work. The 50 Steps will form the basis for any contribution on Education as part of a Programme for Government after the next election.
In developing our education system, we need to look at how the curriculum can be changed to meet the needs of a changing society. How the various types of intelligence can be measured and how students can be encouraged to follow the life path that leads to their personal development and fulfilment. We need to create new career pathways alongside the traditional academic route.
All of the above will be looked at in due course. However I personally believe that funding the existing education system is the single most important task. Even without any new curricula or programmes, the relative lack of funding in key areas of our education system had led to major inequalities in our society. These inequalities don't just affect those who have been forgotten by the system, they also have a knock on effect on all aspects of Irish life. Whether it is through higher taxes, an increased crime rate or a reduction in our economic potential, everyone suffers.
24. Provision of health and nutrition classes for all parents of children starting primary school
Step 24. Provision of health and nutrition classes for all parents of children starting primary school
23: Integrated Resources Mobile Units
Step 23. Integrated Resources Mobile Units*
In Government, the Green Party will set up 20 Integrated Resources Mobile Units (IRMUs) to assess children in primary schools. Each unit will include staff such as speech therapists, social workers, educational psychologists and public health nurses working together to provided an enhanced one-stop-shop assessment and pre-assessment service for primary school children. The IRMUs will operate in addition to, but in liaison with, existing structures and will be used to enhance the current service. Staff from each regional IRMU will work closely with senior school staff (including Home School and Community Liaison Officers) and Education Welfare Officers to ensure that all children are accessed within a reasonable time period.**
Existing staff costs will be met from the Education and Health departments as at present. However the set-up and first year maintenance costs for minibus purchase, driver hire, fuel etc, which has been estimated at ?960,000, will be met by the Department of Education. This figure has been budgeted for out of the ?1 billion additional investment for Education. If all of the necessary arrangements cannot be made in Year 1 for logistical or other reasons, the funding will be ring-fenced and added to future years' funding as part of a multi-annual package.
* The term Integrated Resources Mobile Unit was coined by the late Green Party Councillor Fintan McCarthy who was a member of the Green Party's Education Working Group
**Issues relating to additional staff resources under the Department of Education budget are being dealt with in other Steps
22. Review of existing division of responsibilities for education between the Departments of Education and Science and other departments, particularly Health and Children
Step 22. Review of existing division of responsibilities for education between the Departments of Education and Science and other departments, particularly Health and Children
In Government the Green Party will develop a more co-ordinated approach between the departments of Health and Education on all matters relating to the education of children and adults. We will review existing structures and make recommendations as to how greater co-ordination and synergies can be created. A similar approach to Education will be taken with other Government departments such as Justice, Arts, Sport and Tourism and Transport.
21. Audit of school furniture and introduction of new standards for chairs and desks
Step 21. Audit of school furniture and introduction of new standards for chairs and desks
In Government the Green Party will undertake an audit of all school furniture, examine best practice worldwide and will introduce guidelines and possibly standards for chairs and desks in all new schools as well in all schools undergoing refurbishment/maintenance programmes. Such guidelines/standards will look at achieving the following objectives:
Furniture that is adjustable and can cater for the wide variation in height in a given age group
Furniture that is ergonomically sound and conducive to a good sitting posture.
Furniture that can provide storage space for text books and lunches to assist in the reduction in the weight of school bags (see Step 20)
A total of ?200,000 will be set aside in Year 1 towards research. Funding provision for furniture in new and refurbished schools will be considered in the context of the school building programme, where an additional ?269 million has been allocated under Step 5.
20. Measures to reduce the weight of school bags
Step 20. Measures to reduce the weight of school bags
In Government the Green Party will review the 1998 Working Group Report on the Weight of Schoolbags to see what practical measures have been implemented to reduce the weights carried by school children and examine what additional supports are now required. Areas examined will include:
Feasibility study into the introduction of a maximum school textbook weight for various ages, phased in over time
The uses and applications of IT in reducing bag weight
The provision where needed of storage tables and lockers in primary and second level schools, starting with new and refurbished schools*
Further measures to educate children regarding the correct types of bags and how to wear them
The identification of 'approved' school bag types with the possible introduction of a rebate scheme for parents who purchase these bags for their children
A total of ?200,000 will be set aside in Year 1 towards research, with the implementation of necessary measures being provided for in subsequent years by the continuation of this allocation.
19. Creating opportunities for working parents to spend more time with school-going children
Step 19. Creating opportunities for working parents to spend more time with school-going children
In Government the Green Party will alter the scope of the Special Parental Leave scheme with the maximum age of the eligible child increased to 12 to cover all children in primary school. We will also examine the current rules regarding the provision of Term Time to see if a shorter period of four weeks could be provided to an agreed number of parents each year wishing to assist with their children's extra-curricular education during the summer.
18. Re-establishment of National Adult Learning Council
Step 18. Re-establishment of National Adult Learning Council
In Government, and in order to better co-ordinate funding and decision making within the adult education sector, the Green Party will formally establish the National Adult Learning Council as a statutory body under Section 54 of the Education Act, 1998. An initial budget of ?500,000 will be allocated for this purpose in Year 1
17. Provision of classroom assistant to improve health and safety in one-teacher schools
Step 17. Provision of classroom assistant to improve health and safety in one-teacher schools
In Government the Green Party will ensure that a suitable assistant is funded for all one-teacher schools to safeguard the health and safety of students. An allocation of ?375,000 will be provided to cover the estimated cost of filling this position in the 13 remaining one-teacher schools.
16. Creation of a tracking system to monitor school attendance
Step 16. Creation of a tracking system to monitor school attendance
In Government the Green Party will set up a new tracking system based on PPS numbers to monitor student attendance at primary schools nationwide and to ensure that those who do not enroll in a second level school are quickly identified. The existing second level system will be integrated in with the PPS-based system to ensure that all students who drop out of school before the Junior Certificate can be more easily tracked. The introduction of the system will be done in consultation with teacher representative bodies.
15. Creation of dedicated Special Duties Teacher position
Step 15. Creation of dedicated Special Duties Teacher position
In Government, the Green Party will create a new 'Welcome Officer' in each of 742 second level schools at a total cost of ?2.7 million. This Special Duties Teacher position will be aimed at smoothing the transition between primary and second level for students. The post will be made available to middle management in second level schools.
14. Creation of additional options to Leaving Certificate courses for students
Step 14. Creation of additional options to Leaving Certificate courses for students
The Green Party will pilot the addition of Further Education courses as subject alternatives for students who wish to choose a particular career path after the Junior Certificate but who also wish to obtain Leaving Certificate qualifications. This will operate on a similar basis to the VET courses offered in schools as part of the TAFE system in Australia. In Government we will also actively promote alternatives to the Leaving Certificate for students who are at risk of leaving school. These would include promoting the Colleges of Further Education for children over the age of 16 who wish to transfer after their Junior Certificate
13. Implementation of McIver Report recommendations on the Further Education Sector
Step 13. Implementation of McIver Report recommendations on the Further Education Sector
In Government the Green Party will implement all key recommendations of the McIver Report on the further education sector and will allocate ?52 million in Year 1 for this purpose. Immediate priorities will include the establishment of a new, distinct sector of Further Education, the appointment of non-teaching staff and managers, the creation of national and regional support services and improvements to IT, library and student supports.
12. Measures to assist full-time students with living expenses
Step 12. Measures to assist full-time students with living expenses
In Government, the Green Party will introduce a loan scheme to assist third level students with living expenses. This will consist of ?2,500 per annum in interest-free loans provided to a maximum of 30,000 students, means-tested if necessary. Payment will be in October and February of each year. The loans will be repayable through a reduction in tax allowances once student earnings exceed ?35,000 per annum.
11. Measures to assist part-time students
Step 11. Measures to assist part-time students
The Green Party is committed to the abolition of part-time fees and will work towards this objective over the first term of Government. In the meantime in year 1 of Government we will provide ?10 million in grants to assist part-time students on low incomes. We will also provide a loan package totalling ?25 million to cover tuition fees and other expenses for 10,000 part-time students.
10. Simplify the existing student support system
Step 10. Simplify the existing student support system
In Government, the Green Party will review the existing financial supports for students to see where they can be simplified and provided as part of a "one-stop-shop" service, through the most appropriate body. We will ensure that existing payments are made at the start of the college year, when they are most needed. We will look at ways of making the payments system more equitable to help improve access to third level from under-represented groups.
9. A comprehensive review of the Transition Year Programme
Step 9. A comprehensive review of the Transition Year Programme
In Government, the Green Party will initiate a full review of the existing Transition Year Programme in order to maximise its role in helping our young people to mature and develop the interpersonal, work and life skills required for adulthood.
An analysis of the overall effectiveness to date of the existing one-year Transition Year Programme in helping students with their personal development.
An analysis of the quality of Programmes currently being offered by schools and whether more guidelines need to be provided
A look at the availability of and access to the Transition Year for students in schools that already avail of the Programme
A look at why the Programme is not offered in all schools and whether it should be offered in all schools
A specific examination of the impact and potential of the Programme in areas of educational disadvantage
An evaluation of student assessment under the current scheme
An evaluation of existing resources being provided, including staffing levels at the Transition Year Curriculum Support Service
A look at the quality of work placements being sought and provided and whether students receive sufficient support/guidance in obtaining same
The impact of work placements on future academic performance and on the future take-up of Science subjects, particularly physics
An examination of alternatives to a one-year programme including Transition Year modules throughout Junior and Senior Cycle
8. Review of school bus catchment areas and boundaries
Step 8. In Government the Green Party will initiate a nationwide review of school bus catchment areas and boundaries so that the service will reflect the demographic shifts that have taken place since the last review in 1969.
7. Improve adult literacy levels
Step 7. In Government the Green Party will implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Education and Science on improving Adult Literacy levels. However we will front-load the investment, increasing the current spend to ?125 million in the first year of office.
6. Representation for second-level students on boards of management
Step 6. In Government the Green Party will amend the Education Act 1998 to provide for student representation on Boards of Management in second level schools. This will be done in consultation with teacher representative bodies and other education partners.
5. Increased investment in school building and maintenance
Step 5. In Government the Green Party will increase investment in school building and maintenance projects from ?491 million to ?760 million, based on 2006 figures. This, allied with measures proposed in Steps 3 and 4, will help to significantly speed up the construction and refurbishment of primary and second level schools across the country.
4. Developers should build new schools as condition of planning permission
Step 4. In Government the Green Party will ensure that land for schools is made available by developers as part of the conditions for planning permission / permissions in a designated area. The developers will also have to build a multi-use facilities to Department of Education and local authority specifications or else cover the costs of same as part of their development levies.
3. Integrated Public Partnership
Step 3. In Government the Green Party would ensure that all new school buildings would as far as practicable be multi-use facilities
2. Education Welfare Board Investment
Step 2. In Government, the Green Party will seek to provide the National Education Welfare Board with ?28 million annual funding to enable it to recruit its full complement as recommended in the Rochfort report and fully carry out its statutory obligations under the Education Welfare Act.
According to the NEWB this funding would enable it to enable it to increase its staff number to 363; 332 of which would be directly involved in service delivery. The current EWO student ratio of 1:12,000 would be reduced to 1:3000, similar to NI and UK levels.
1. Fund Education
Step 1. is to significantly increase investment in our education system.