Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As indicated in the response of the Minister of State, Deputy English, we are looking seriously at widening the whole concept of apprenticeships and providing that alternative path for students as a real career opportunity and we are encouraging parents to see that as an absolutely viable and equal alternative. We do not favour children setting out on that path at too early an age. Some 97% of children sit the junior cycle examinations. The percentages that drop out at that early age are actually very small. We want students to stay in school until they are 16.

The junior cycle reform, on which I have been working fairly hard since I became Minister, is precisely about giving the opportunity to value different students and their different skills, which is why we want assessment in the school of group work, practical work and so on. That is specifically designed to address students who are disengaged at that early age and to ensure they are valued for their skills and abilities. I stand over that policy. We want children to stay in school until they are 16 and then have the different pathways.

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