The Review Committee on Post Secondary Education and Training Places, which I chaired, was asked to "advise on the appropriate level of provision of education and training places for school-leavers and others (including the rationalisation of existing provision)".
In today's high-tech economy, just about everybody understands that it pays to get further education. The benefits are high both for the individual and society. Investment in education is a good investment.
One of the landmark reports in the Republic's economic development is the 1965 report Investment in Education, which was prepared by a team led by Prof Patrick Lynch. The title was far-seeing at that time, as the importance of investment in educated people was not appreciated as it is today.
The review committee took the view that the educational attainment of the population was a key element of competitive advantage. To realise this advantage, the State must measure itself against other countries.
The review committee recommends that the appropriate strategic objective for Ireland is to first achieve, and then maintain, a position well within the top quarter of OECD countries in terms of the proportion of the population in post second-level education and training and in the quality of that education and training.
In simple terms, we must aim to be among the three or four leading countries of the world. In aiming for this, it will be important to take into account any expansion in provision in other countries. How are we doing? The educational attainment of the population aged 25-64 is about the OECD average for third level but is significantly below the OECD average in relation to upper secondary attainment.
There has been a very significant expansion of higher education in the Republic over the past three decades. As a result, we are doing much better in the younger age group (25-34), where we rank seventh among OECD countries.
In this respect, we are doing significantly better than the EU average. Further improvements are expected: the committee's projections indicate that the graduation rate of young people will almost double between 1990 and 2010.
There will be 114,000 full-time third-level places in 2001, compared with a total enrolment of 104,000 in 1997/98. This planned expansion should allow the Republic to meet the strategic objective in relation to school-leavers.
The number of births in the State reached a peak of over 74,000 in 1980 and declined by 36 per cent to just under 48,000 in 1994. The declining birth rate will reduce dramatically the number of students of school-leaving age from now on.
The committee was very concerned about rates of failure and drop-out in further and higher education. Given the degree of competition for places, this should be much lower. While precise information is not available, the indications are that non-completion rates may be worryingly high.
This is an important issue for both students and educational institutions. More work needs to be done to understand the problem and take steps to reduce it. Educational institutions in particular have an important role here.
It is often claimed that the number of mature students in the State (students over 23) is much lower than elsewhere. This puzzled the committee, as our experience would suggest otherwise - many people in their late 20s and 30s are pursuing courses of all kinds.
The statistics quoted relate to full-time mature students, while the vast majority of mature students pursue part-time courses. In addition, more than 20,000 students are pursuing professional qualifications or studying through the Open University, which may be considered as valuable as traditional third-level qualifications.
We have work to do to increase the educational attainment of mature students, particularly those under 45 who are most likely to return to education. The proportion of the age cohort (25-44) with at least upper secondary education is significantly below the OECD average. While this is strictly outside the committee's brief, further investment in adult education at this level is needed.
Given the very tight labour market, the committee believes the best means of increasing participation by mature students is to provide extra places in a flexible way which would allow students to follow courses while retaining their jobs or meeting family responsibilities. If the traditional model of full-time provision were followed exclusively, many could not participate.
Who will pay the mortgage while I return to college full time? How can I get a degree if I live away from a third-level college and my family circumstances prevent me from moving? Educational institutions will have to provide more education in a flexible way if the objective of increased participation is to be met fully.
The committee recommended that the Higher Education Authority should bring forward proposals for up to 10,000 additional places for mature students. These should mainly be in the nature of part-time courses and other flexible options such as distance learning.
We need to keep our position in relation to other countries under regular review. This is an important job for the HEA, which also has the task of working to ensure that the level and quality of education provided in the Republic meets the best standards. Given our demographic circumstances, Irish people can become within a relatively short time one of the best educated populations in the world; we should grasp the opportunity.
Dr Donal de Buitleir was chairman of the Review Committee on Post Secondary Education and Training Places
