OECD report - More to do but a lot has been done

The latest report on education from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) contains some interesting findings in relation to the performance of this country. The Irish school completion rate has improved dramatically in five years. People were long decrying the drop-out rate in secondary education.

In 2000 the completion rate was just 74% but that jumped to 91% in 2005. Ireland is now one of just seven OECD countries in which nine out of 10 pupils finish their secondary education. The third-level completion rate has also increased to the point where this country now ranks fourth highest.

The number of science graduates has also increased significantly. We are now in the top seven of the OECD for science graduates, and this country is ranked second only to South Korea for the percentage of science graduates among 25 to 34 year-old workers. This should have a significant impact in attracting investment.