Ms Sorcha Ní Chonghaile:

On life skills training and preparation for the working world, transition year attempts to meet some of these needs but many students still feel unprepared for the working world. A module or course on basic life skills is essential.

Trades and apprenticeships should be catered for. Just 2% of school leavers take up apprenticeships. Introducing a work-based learning model as a subject to the leaving certificate curriculum can attract more students to these alternative progression pathways.

There are issues around home-schooled students and distance learning support. The ISSU believes, however, that the level of support for families that opt to home-school is not sufficient. Leaving certificate reforms will need to consider the needs of home-schooled students and students who can no longer attend school and provide further online and distance learning support.

There are issues around progression from the junior cycle. In September 2018, the first group of students from the new junior cycle course will transfer to the senior cycle curriculum. These pupils must be catered for.

Other issues are the results from PISA, the question of league tables and evaluating our success. We need to modernise for the 21st century and deal with the over-emphasis in STEM. The range of foreign language courses available does not equate to the opportunities for students to study their desired language and is completely dependent on the availability of teachers and classroom space. Native speakers are also at a disadvantage as there are few language courses that meet their needs, particularly with the Irish language. Language subjects should be taught more for practical use, such as professions in the domains of education, law, and politics. We need to cater and protect the arts, creative arts and design, languages and philosophy. To echo the words of our Uachtarán, Michael D Higgins, we need to introduce philosophy and ethical reflection to our learning, practising fair argument and respect for differences in our society.