ESRI critical of cut in pupil research

THE Government’s economic think-tank has stressed the need to continue its survey of school leavers now more than ever, after budget restrictions have forced its abandonment.

The Economic Social and Research Institute (ESRI) said the school leavers’ survey it has conducted almost every year since 1980 gives valuable insights into the factors shaping the educational pathways and attainments of young people’s experiences in school and after they leave.

Dr Selina McCoy, higher research officer at the ESRI, said the decision to cease funding the survey after 30 years has immense implications for the nature of educational research and its role in policy information.

“In the current economic climate the importance of the survey in assessing the labour market experiences of young people can not be overstated,” she said. This is particularly pertinent now as there are far fewer opportunities for early school leavers.

The data gathered in each survey have also been used in a broad range of Irish and international research studies examining issues such as school attendance, participation in programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied and Transition Year.

The information is also used in studies on the impact of participation in Post Leaving Certificate courses.