More good news for the knowledge economy, FF are preparing to cut back on education. Seems this knowledge economy thing they keep spouting about its all just spin. We should be investing heavily in this area in order to produce to class scientists and not cutting back in it, especially with unemployment rising.

I would think we need lots of top class engineers for the Green energy sector. Why cant we have a cutback on quangos and other such waste?

Fools.

Hundreds of college jobs facing the chop - National News, Frontpage - Independent.ie

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Right now, the problem isn't in the provision, its in the lack of up-take.

The kids simply do not want to do these sort of courses, with the result that the places are left unfilled, or are taken up by students of ever-decreasing quality.

So there's no point in leaving the under-subscribed courses in place just because of some woolly aspirations to a knowledge economy.

Instead, I can see three options:

1. Re-tool the courses so as to appeal more to the kids (and their Mammys). For instance less Civ Eng & Architecture, more Energy Engineering and Sustainability.

2. Inventivize the kids (and their Mammys) to overcome their aversion to such courses. For instance designate a small number of engineering & science courses as being strategic, and waive the tuition/registration fees for anyone with over say 400 points who gets onto one of these as their first CAO pick.

3. Cut the under-used provision, as reported in the Indo. This is the least preferable, but also the easiest option in terms of guaranteed savings, so it's probably be what they'll end up doing.

I think the National Comsumer Agency should be shut right now, it costs a fortune.

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But in that case, how would Celia Larkin get her hush money?

You're such a t.it.



The article doesn't say anything about Science and Education cuts. It talks about merging courses that are under-subscribed, which makes perfect sense.

Idiot.

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Clearly this is the best thing to do. I would not be to impressed with them chopping science courses rather they attacked the arts and courses on how to fluff pillows etc. but it is clearly a process required.

I like the Incentivisation Ideas i think that it would be a fantastic way to promote the Sciences and Engineering.

"1. Re-tool the courses so as to appeal more to the kids (and their Mammys). For instance less Civ Eng & Architecture, more Energy Engineering and Sustainability."

However, it should be clarified that the Energy Engineering and Sustainability is really a market for Civil Engineers, Architects and Science graduates. All the basics of fluid Mechanics, geotechnics and kinetics. etc would be paramount along with the other valuable topics learnt through geography, enviormental sciences and architecture.

The simple repackaging or title change of a course could lead to an increase take up and proportionatly an increased drop out rate after kids realise they are studying Civil engeering et al.

I am biased however.

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We need to look at maths and science in primary and secondary schools, when I went to school the way maths was thought was a joke, dont know if that has changed?

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English must not have been a strong point either.

As an aside, aren't some engineering schools looking at the european model for engineers- a 3 year Ba/B.sc followed by 2 years to give you an M.Eng or similar?
jd

This is the basic problem, not enough kids are taking maths & physics at Leaving cert. level.
A consolidation of courses is a good idea, there are some mickey mouse courses being offered with 2nd rate teachers in the ITs especially. Anyone who tells you that you can study engineering to degree level without having honours maths is lying.