Written answers

Thursday, 19 November 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Education

Photo of Michael McNamaraMichael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a circular distributed recently to students of a college (details supplied) which has taken the decision to continue with its online delivery mode for the spring semester that is to stay the remainder of the academic year 2020-2021; the effect this online delivery mode is having on first year students that are lacking the experience of college and the interactions with other first year students; if he will consider intervening with the college to facilitate students to return to campus even on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/20]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As of midnight on Wednesday 21 October 2020, all of Ireland has been placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID. Under the Level 5 measures, higher and further education is designated as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and education activities cannot be held remotely. Given the scale and diversity within third-level provision, higher and further education institutions themselves are best equipped to determine in which circumstances onsite presence is required. In overall terms, the higher education sector has adjusted their provision to Level 5 restrictions and public health advice, with the majority of provision currently being offered online. Feedback from the sector has indicated a successful delivery of current activities during Level 5.

While I appreciate that this may be disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, these measures are necessary if the spread of the Coronavirus is to be halted.

It is the Department’s objective, which is shared by the further and higher education sector, to ensure that, where possible, an optimal learning experience is provided in the circumstances that present at any specific time. In that context, it is planned to review the position with relevant institutions and stakeholders in the light of experience and the progress of the pandemic and communicate the position for next semester before the end of the year, acknowledging that there is a need for a balance between the provision of information to students so they can make timely decisions and maintaining responsiveness in response to the pandemic.

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