Schools ‘fail’ to prepare students for life or work

THE vast majority of school leavers feel the education system has not prepared them for adult life or work, a study by the Government’s economic think-tank has found.

The survey by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found two out of three Leaving Cert students believed they did not have sufficient computer skills or were ready and able to take on jobs. And just over a third thought the school system had boosted their self-confidence.

The study’s co-author Dr Delma Byrne said the Government should be concerned by the findings. “We were surprised,” said Dr Byrne. “It just really highlights issues for school leavers in the current economic climate. As well as the computer skills, it seems that many of them feel that they are not really prepared for adult working life, which really raises questions as to their adaptability in the current economic climate.”