The Leaving Certificate - A Second Chance for Adult Learners
12 Aug 2009 11:34 AM
This is not only an important day for those students who are beginning their adult lives, but also for a small but significant percentage of adults who have taken the brave step to return to complete their Leaving Certificate. AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, today congratulates all adults on their Leaving Certificate achievements.
Last year, 4101 of those getting their results constituted 'External Candidates' - i.e students who have studied outside the second level system, or adult re-entrants. This year, the number of external candidates stands at 4361. This figure excludes adult learners who sat their Leaving Certificate through the VTOS (Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme) programme which provides second chance education to adults. In January of this year, 271 VTOS students were registered as taking Leaving Certificate subjects as the bulk of their programme.
According to AONTAS Director Berni Brady, AONTAS has dealt with almost 400 queries relating to the Leaving Certificate this year, out of a total of 4245 total queries about adult education. 'Half of those (200) said that they wanted to complete the Leaving to 'recession proof' their career' she explained. 'Other reasons indicated by those contacting us included the desire to upskill, a number of them also mentioned how the Leaving Certificate was something they missed out on, and regretted completing. Finally, some of those expressed how important it was for them personally to act as positive role models for their children.'
'Adult learners who go back to resit their Leaving Certificate are a very diverse group', explained Ms Brady. 'Some of them may have dropped out of the formal education system at an early stage, while others may be returning to complete one or two subjects that they need to make a change in their career. A quarter of them credited the Adult Guidance Service with giving them the motivation to return and stick with their decision.'
'Our own research with this particular group highlights two issues of concern - one third of that group expressed severe frustration in finding information that they needed. For example there is a real need for the CAO application procedure to be more accessible for adult learners. Finally, half of those contacting us with a view to taking the Leaving Cert as adults expressed real fears about how they might finance their third level education, in the event that fees are re-introduced.
'Being an adult learner is like negotiating an obstacle course', said Ms Brady. 'It takes real drive to juggle family, financial and employment commitments to see it through. Going back to take the Leaving Cert is a huge achievement - irrespective of the results. As the third level fees debate unfolds, we would urge the government not to make this an even bigger challenge for adults returning to education - as our economic recovery depends on the development of a highly skilled, highly educated workforce.'
ENDS
