Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Department of Education and Science

Secondary Schools

9:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the difference between secondary, comprehensive and community schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3232/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of different types of post-primary school in the Irish education system. The second level sector is comprised of voluntary secondary schools, community schools and comprehensive schools, which are generally denominational (for example, Roman Catholic or Protestant). Vocational schools and community colleges are non-denominational.

All of these schools provide courses in accordance with the curriculum prescribed by my Department, enter their pupils for the State examinations and are subject to evaluation by my Department's inspectorate. Approximately 340,000 students are enrolled in about 750 second-level schools.

Voluntary secondary schools are privately owned and managed. They are under the trusteeship of religious communities, boards of governors or individuals. The Education Act, 1998, requires secondary schools to have boards of management that include parent and teacher representatives. Voluntary secondary schools may be fee-paying or non-fee paying. In the past, voluntary secondary schools provided a more academic education but increasingly, they provide a range of academic, practical and vocational subjects.

Community and comprehensive schools were established in the 1960s in order to provide a broad curriculum for all the young people in a community. Many of these schools were established as the result of the amalgamation of voluntary secondary and vocational schools.

Comprehensive schools combine academic and vocational subjects in a wide curriculum. They are managed by a board of management representative of the diocesan religious authority, the VEC of the area and the Minister for Education and Science.

Community schools are managed by boards of management representative of local interests. These schools offer a broad curriculum embracing both practical and academic subjects. They also provide facilities for adult education and community development projects.

The remaining schools in the sector are Vocational Schools and Community Colleges. These schools are administered by 33 Vocational Education Committees established as statutory bodies set up under the Vocational Education Act, 1930, as amended. The boards of management for these schools are sub-committees of the VEC. Membership of the boards include, VEC representatives, parent, teacher and community representatives. Initially, the main thrust of these schools was directed towards the development of manual skills and preparation of young people for trades. Today, they generally provide a wide range of both academic and practical subjects. Vocational schools and Community Colleges are the main providers of adult education and community education courses.

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