THE REPORT of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) on education and training published yesterday is a timely and challenging document. At the outset, it acknowledges the strain placed on the education system by the economic downturn. Refreshingly, it does not demand unrealistic levels of new investment. Indeed, most of its proposals are revenue neutral. Its central thrust is well summarised by chairman Dr Don Thornhill in his foreword when he says the downturn means “the way in which resources are used can be just as important as the overall level of funding”.
The report appears sceptical of current policy formation in the education sector. It is critical of teacher associations which it says are “primarily focused on industrial relations issues rather than being formal professional bodies focused on training, standards and professional development’’.
The NCC is also clearly impatient with the lack of progress made in addressing long standing problems such as the poor take-up of maths and science and under investment in technology for schools. In one thought provoking section, it hints that investment in school facilities and teacher in-service training might be more beneficial than the “expensive’’ move to cut class size in primary schools.
Given the downturn, the NCC wants all stakeholders in education to respond with the necessary flexibility to ensure our education system can continue to improve. Many of its proposals are sensible and pragmatic. It wants a dramatic increase in the time invested in maths and science and new incentives for students to take higher level in the Leaving Certificate exams. It favours an overhaul of the curricula and modes of assessment to develop critical thinking and self-directed learning. It says investment in further education and training courses should be targeted in areas where skills shortages are forecast and in sectors where potential exists for future employment growth.
There is no “silver bullet” in the report which will magically transform the education sector or the economic outlook. But, taken together, its recommendations point the way towards a more flexible and innovative education system better placed to meet the economic challenges. Regrettably, there are few grounds for optimism that the report will actually be implemented. The education system has many merits but, as the NCC hints, a capacity to speedily implement change is not one of them.