Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 663: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the details of enterprise education in second level schools; if he will review and extend the enterprise education programme outside of current programmes; his views on whether enterprise education should be a compulsory part of secondary level education in view of the demands of the smart economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6129/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Enterprise Education forms part of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules, and is an examinable part of the Leaving Certificate taken by some 15000 students annually. In addition, as part of the Transition Year Programme, mini-company activities are supported whereby students plan, develop and manage a mini enterprise or organise a major event such as a trade fair or fashion show. Teamwork, multi-disciplinary learning, interpersonal and communications skills, planning, evaluation, and mastery of business concepts are all part of this process. The Transition Year Programme, which is taken by 50% of the student cohort, provides key opportunities for these types of skills to be developed through other measures also, such as school musicals. Some 5000 students annually take part in the Young Social Innovators Programme which promotes these skills as well as social awareness and active citizenship.

In a further development the Student Enterprise Awards run by the County and City Development Board has a participation of some 10,500 students annually under which students plan, market and operate a real business. The Smart Economy strategy provides for a major strengthening, expansion and marketing of mini-company and student enterprise awards under the title of the Sean Lemass Award.

The Leaving Certificate Business syllabus, which is studied by some 18400 students annually, also places a strong emphasis on enterprise. The syllabus covers the relationships of people in a business environment, handling conflict, identifying, marketing and starting a business, the domestic and international environment, entrepreneurs and enterprise skills, and their application to different situations. The BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is also testament to the investigative and innovative skills of students in our schools, with over 1,135 students and 509 projects taking part in the 2010 exhibition.

As part of its ongoing work, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is embedding key skills in all senior cycle subject areas. The key skills identified are information processing, communicating, critical and creative thinking, working with others and being personally effective. The Council has also developed a short course in Enterprise Education for consultation. The proposals for reform of the junior certificate programme will provide more opportunities for embedding key skills, and for school-based innovation and creativity. I agree that it is vitally important that all students develop key skills and engage in innovative learning, creative and entrepreneurial activity. Opportunities to develop these skills are already embedded in various programmes and subjects. This work will be further strengthened, while at the same time meeting the diverse needs of the student cohort. EU policy in promoting enterprise as one of the 8 key competencies which students should develop, takes a wider view of enterprise as being a willingness to welcome change, take responsibility, set objectives and meet them, plan, organise, evaluate, manage a project, and work effectively and flexibly with others.