Republican News · Thursday 18 October 2001

[An Phoblacht]

Nelis calls for working group on higher education

Foyle Assembly member Mary Nelis has urged Dr Sean Farren to establish a working group to bring forward recommendations for the development of Higher Education in the North West. And she has urged the minister to give serious consideration to working in cooperation with the Dublin government on this matter.

Nelis was speaking to the motion from the Committee of Employment and learning in respect of the enquiry into Education and Training for Industry.

"The enquiry received over 100 written submissions and held 38 oral evidence sessions," said Nelis. "The report contains 43 recommendations."

She added that if the Assembly is to collectively pursue a culture of lifelong learning, with its benefits for the individual and society, "the Executive must strengthen and develop a mainstream education and training programme on a North/South basis.

"All training must be geared to the provision of real jobs with real wages. Policies central to addressing unemployment, deprivation and social and educational exclusion should be fast-tracked in keeping with the recommendations contained in the enquiry.

"There is a strong case for proper acknowledgment and funding for Further Education Colleges, especially in border areas, in order to develop a strategic role in delivering basic skills, Vocational Education and training equity.

"It would be to the overall advantage for the future development of an all-Ireland educational strategy, if the Executive and the Irish government could explore the possibility of establishing a body to promote and validate vocational qualifications, such as NVQs, AVCEs, National Diploma and Higher National Diploma on an islandwide basis.

Mary Nelis, while welcoming the report, expressed disappointment that its recommendations failed to identify areas of all-Ireland development, in research and development, training and job creation.


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