Primary Education Attendance compulsory 6-15/16 years However, most Irish children commence at age 4 Curriculum Child centred (revised in 1999) Language English, Irish (all). Modern languages initiative Maths Social, environment and scientific education (SESS) Arts education music, drama, art Physical education Social, personal and health education
Second Level Education Attendance 12/13 to 17/18 years Types of Second Level Schools Secondary schools privately owned (religious orders) Vocational schools managed by Vocational Education Committees Community & Comprehensive schools managed by Boards of Management
Second Level Education Structure duration 5/6 years Junior Cycle (3 year cycle) Junior Certificate Examination Transition Year Programme (1 year-optional) Senior Cycle (2 year cycle) Leaving Certificate Examination Leaving Certificate Established academic orientation Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme academic & vocational orientations Leaving Certificate Applied vocational orientation
Further Education EDUCATION & TRAINING AFTER SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLING Post Leaving Certificate Courses Second Chance Education eg. YOUTHREACH Adult Literacy & Basic Education Programmes Adult Education Programmes evening classes self-funded APRENTICESHIPS Training in the trade professions offered by FAS (National Training and Employment Authority).
Higher Education STATE FUNDED Universities (7) Technological Sector (14) Colleges of Education (7) FUNDED BY STUDENT FEES Private Colleges
Guidance at Second Level Guidance refers to a range of learning experiences (e.g. counselling, assessment, information giving) that assist people to make choices about their lives (personal and social, educational and career) and to make transitions consequent on these choices. (Planning the School Guidance Programme, 2004) Guidance Activities include: Counselling Placement Assessment Managing, organising Information & co-ordinating guidance activities Advice Careers education/career transition programmes Referral
Guidance At Second Level Requirements to work in a post primary school: - Guidance qualification - Teaching qualification Training: - Post graduate training course in guidance (2 years part time/1 year full time) - 5 Universities
Education Act (1998) Support services - guidance and counselling services Section 9c A recognised school shall use its available resources to ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and career choices. In 2012, new circular issued by Department of Education and Skills http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/cl0009_2012.pdf?langua ge=en
Education Act (1998), Section 21 Circular PPT 12/05 School guidance plan should be part of a school plan. Guidance counsellor should be involved in school guidance planning in the first instance. Continued allocation of hours conditional on: the guidance plan being part of the school plan the guidance plan taking account of the context and needs of the school (whole school approach)
Guidance in Third Level Education Universities/Institutes of Technology Careers and Appointments Offices Career guidance activities: Information management including notification of graduate recruitment Teaching/coaching guidance activities Counselling Advice Assessment Referral Advocacy Follow-up (including graduate destinations) Employability Skills
Adult Educational Guidance Initiative PRINCIPLES Learner/client centredness Impartiality Accessibility Empowerment Confidentiality Equal Opportunities Transparency
Remit of the AEGI The Adult Educational Guidance Initiative (AEGI) provides quality educational guidance services for adults. The AEGI is aimed at any adult (over 18 yrs) who is considering returning to education or participating in a Literacy, VTOS or community education course including BTEI programmes.
What is adult guidance counselling? Vocational Information Psychological Adult Guidance Counselling Educational Social Personal
Current Provision 41 AEGS nationwide Located within VECs and WIT Guidance Coordinator Guidance Counsellor Information Officer
Guidance in Non-Formal Settings YOUTHREACH Provision http://www.youthreach.ie Over 80 YOUTHREACH Centres nationally No formal provision. 2.5 hours of guidance per week for Youthreach, set to increase. NCGE Activities Research has been carried out into the perceived needs for guidance, counselling and psychological services in Youthreach Centres.
Definition of Guidance Guidance facilitates people throughout their lives to manage their own educational, training, occupational, personal, social and life choices so that they reach their full potential and contribute to the development of a better society National Guidance Forum 2007
Contact Information NCGE www.ncge.ie Department of Education and Skills www.education.ie