Students must be more actively involved in learning

IN many ways, today’s report from the Higher Education Authority showing higher dropout rates in various types of college, courses and student categories tells us very little that isn’t already known.

One would expect that those with lower grades, particularly in English or maths, may struggle to get through third level, and more so on courses with high mathematical or communication content.

Second-level principals were quick to point out in August that the third-level points system is the tail wagging the dog of our second-level system. At the Oireachtas Education Committee last week, Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland assistant general secretary Moire Leyden said the second-level curriculum is in a straitjacket because the system requires everybody to work towards the Leaving Certificate exam.