Statement by Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA)
The Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools, published today by the Department of Education and Skills, was warmly welcomed by Michael Moriarty, the General Secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA). Commenting on the results detailed in the Department's report which showed the highest number of students ever completing second level, Mr Moriarty said:
The Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools certainly reflects well on the value of enhanced investment in education generally, and most especially in schools serving disadvantaged communities. The reduction in the rate of early school leavers is also well ahead of the EU average and is certainly moving in the right direction. If ever there was a signal to government of the value of investment in education, then this report does just that. There is now a real focus on outcomes and the validity of continued investment in education is clear, and our enhanced focus on the disadvantaged must be sustained. The real and genuine fear is that the severe cutbacks in resources in schools could well reverse this trend in the future.
The Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools certainly reflects well on the value of enhanced investment in education generally, and most especially in schools serving disadvantaged communities. The reduction in the rate of early school leavers is also well ahead of the EU average and is certainly moving in the right direction. If ever there was a signal to government of the value of investment in education, then this report does just that. There is now a real focus on outcomes and the validity of continued investment in education is clear, and our enhanced focus on the disadvantaged must be sustained. The real and genuine fear is that the severe cutbacks in resources in schools could well reverse this trend in the future.
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