The government has dismissed criticism by a prominent academic of the way in which third level education in the country is run.

In an interview for the Sunday Times yesterday (July 3rd), Professor Tom Begley, who was dean of the Smurfit and Quinn business schools at University College Dublin until recently, said the authorities lacked a coherent strategy.

He also described the Leaving Certificate as "completely dysfunctional" and called for it to be scrapped.

However, responding to his statements, a Department for Education spokeswoman suggested Prof Begley may not be fully aware of the reforms the government is looking to implement and added any criticism of its record is "unfair" as current minister Ruairi Quinn has only been in his post since March.

She added Mr Quinn has asked university heads to submit their ideas for overhauling the entry system for third level institutions, to be used as the basis for discussions on changing the procedures.

Earlier this year, the Leaving Certificate was slammed by another academic, Ferdinand von Prondznski, principal of Scotland's Robert Gordon University, who wrote in the Irish Times how the examinations are "not fit for purpose," as the points system encourages students to make poor course choices.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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