Europe at Present [Spring 2003]

IRELAND

The majority of children are in first class in primary school at age 6 and may transfer to second level school when they have completed the full primary course, generally about age 12. For registration in a second level school pupils must be age 12 on 1st January of their first year in second level schooling.

The junior and senior cycles of second level schools comprise lower and upper secondary education. Four types of schools exist at this level - secondary , voluntary secondary, vocational, comprehensive and community. All of them offer a curriculum that combines academic and vocational subjects. At the end of year three in the junior cycle the majority of pupils sit their first State examination, the Junior Certificate. Since September 1994, the Transition Year, a one-year interdisciplinary programme has been available to all pupils at the end of junior cycle as one option in a three-year senior cycle.

At senior cycle the main course is the two-year Leaving Certificate leading to higher education or employment. There are also two alternative certificate courses - the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme.

YOUTHREACH is a two-year programme of education, training and work experience available to young people who have left school with no formal qualification. Year one is a foundation year and is followed by a progression year. Youthreach is run jointly by the Vocational Education Committees and FAS. It is funded by the Department of Education and Department of Enterprise and Employment with assistance from the European Social Fund. YOUTHREACH courses are free of charge. Participants are paid a weekly training allowance which varies according to age. YOUTHREACH is a second chance for 15-18 year olds to gain education and training with national certification and future employment prospects.

Training courses of various lengths are provided by FAS for unemployed young people: Skills Foundation, Community Youth Training, Local Training Initiatives.

School Year in Higher Education

SWEDEN

The public school system for children and youths consists of pre-school class, fšrskoleklass compulsory school grundskola, upper secondary school gymnasieskola , compulsory school for pupils with learning disabilities, schools for pupils with impaired hearing/vision and physical disabilities specialskola , Samic school sameskolan and the Swedish schools abroad. The adult education system, which offers equivalent education, consists of municipal adult education komvux , education for adults with learning disabilities and Swedish tuition for immigrants sfi . There are also two state schools for adults which are complementary to the municipal adult education. Popular education folkbildning is offered by folk high schools or adult education associations. Higher education is conducted at universities and university colleges.

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  Since July 1st 1995 there has been a new curriculum for the whole of the compulsory school system comprising the compulsory school, special schools for the mentally handicapped, schools for those with physical disabilities and the Sami schools. New syllabi and timetables were also introduced. From the start of school year 1998/99, the curricula have been amended to cover not only compulsory schooling, but also the pre-school class and the after school centre fritidshem . Minor changes have also been made to the timetable.
  
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  In the new integrated upper secondary school implemented between 1992 and 1995, all education is organised in terms of 16 different national programmes. All the upper secondary school programmes contain the same eight core subjects, Swedish/Swedish as a second language, English, social studies, religious studies, mathematics, science, sport and health as well as artistic activities. In addition to these core subjects, pupils study subjects specific to a programme. The curriculum for the non-compulsory school system comprises upper secondary education, upper secondary education for pupils with learning disabilities, municipal adult education and education for adults with learning disabilities.
  
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  Since autumn 1996 a pilot scheme for advanced vocational training has been carried out.
  
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  In the new higher education system, introduced in 1993-94, there are, apart from the general degrees, 45 specifically professionally oriented diplomas described in the Government degree ordinance. Diplomas concern primarily professions requiring authorisation or registration e.g. programmes for doctors and teachers that may cover periods ranging from two to five and a half years.