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Education System
Republic of Ireland is increasingly becoming a popular destination for students from all over the world. Every year over 200,000 international students come to Ireland to pursue further studies. For further details you may log on to the website www.usitnow.ie
Irish Government has made education a key priority area and adequate investments in this area have been sustained for a long period. Department of Education and Science (DES) of the Govt. of the Republic of Ireland controls and administers all aspects of education policy including curricula, syllabi and national examinations. The Irish Education System was traditionally divided into three basic levels: primary (8 years); secondary (5 or 6 years) and third level which offers a wide range of opportunities from post-secondary courses, to vocational and technical training, to full degree and the highest postgraduate level.
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Primary Education
Primary schools in Ireland offer an 8-year programme, starting with two kindergarten years. The school year runs from September to June with holidays at Easter and Christmas. There are no formal examinations at the end of the primary school cycle. Although most of the primary schools are day-schools, boarding facilities are also available in some of these. Recently the primary curriculum has undergone considerable changes providing an extensive learning experience and promoting a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning. For further details in this regard you may log on to the website of Department of Education and Science www.education.ie.
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Secondary Education
Secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools come under the second-level education sector in Ireland. The types of schools mainly differ on the basis of administration and sources of funding. The management and ownership of Secondary Schools is private. Many are managed by religious orders or churches, the rest by boards of governors or by individuals. They are almost totally state-funded and, with the
exception of a relatively small number, do not charge tuition fees to Irish students.
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Vocational Educational Committees run the Vocational schools within local government structures. In addition to providing second-level education, the vocational education system has devised and implemented a range of
continuing education and training services to post second level students.
Community and Comprehensive Schools, administered by Boards of Management, combine academic and technical education for students.
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Generally 12 year olds get entry into Secondary education or Second Level education in Ireland. The span period is 6 years which consists of a three-year junior cycle followed by an optional 'transition year' and a two-year senior cycle. The Junior Certificate Examination is conducted at the end of junior cycle. Similarly, the Leaving Certificate Examination is taken at the completion of the senior cycle. The core subjects taught in Second Level education are English, Irish and Mathematics. Students also have the option of choosing other subjects including Arts, Languages, Science and Applied subjects (e.g. mechanical drawing, woodwork etc.). Students entering the system after II years of age are not obliged to take Irish Language examinations.
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Leaving Certificate Programmes
Following are brief details about the various Leaving Certificate programmes, and a student can opt for anyone of these.
Leaving Certificate: Those interested to undertake the Leaving Certificate examination, one of the popular programmes, must take at least five subjects, including Irish. However, those entering the system after II years of age are exempted from taking Irish language.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP): If you wish to for a high vocational content and a concentration on technical subjects, you may choose this programme. The students have to take five Leaving Certificate subjects (including two vocational subjects); a modem European Language and three link modules on Enterprise Education, Preparation for Work and Work Experience.
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA): Preparing the participants for adult and working life is the main objective of this programme. Awards or certification in the LCA does not lead directly to third-level courses. However after successful completion of LCA, students are eligible to proceed to a number of Post Leaving Certificate courses.
Vocational education and Technical training
A good number of vocational and technical training programmes, mostly job oriented, is offered under Further Education and Training in Ireland. These programmes are job oriented. Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), an Irish government agency, and also a range of other international bodies, validate the awards granted after the completion of the programme.
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