Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

It is a lot of money. The seven presidents, or their representatives, have agreed that they will consider admission systems. This September, there will be for the first time ever - it is incredible to think of this - a joint conference between the HEA and the NCCA to focus on this. Although we have a wide, exploratory primary school curriculum that is regarded as very positive by international standards, we have a secondary school curriculum that is like a chicane or narrow tunnel through which one must force children. It is like a sausage factory.

One critical finding in the research by the NCCA was that the teachers most popular with the young cohort of first-year students are those who teach around the subject and explore the edges of an interesting topic. The teachers who are most popular in first year are the most unpopular in sixth year because they go off the point and do not teach with a view to their pupils achieving points. This demonstrates what we have done to youngsters.

Unless we unlock the tyranny of points and the bridge to third level, we will not be able to effect the required changes regarding subjects that matter in a system of evaluation that enables one to proceed to third level. The target is to have, by 2020, a third level participation rate of 72% of all pupils, not just those who have the leaving certificate because many students enter college without using it. Unless we open the system such that RSE and SPHE can be valued in the same way as other subjects, we will not make the changes we require. I agree that one wants to see these subjects as having equal value but they will not unless they have equal value in the outcome of exams to enter third level.