Ministers Foley and Harris announce publication of Education Indicators for Ireland 2023
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Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris today [1 April 2024] announced the publication of Education Indicators for Ireland 2023 – a report which presents a comprehensive set of educational indicators for the education system in Ireland.
This report covers all levels of education starting with early years and working through school education, further and higher education and through to lifelong learning. In doing so, the report provides an overview of the work of both the Department of Education and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
This updated report provides data up to and including the school/academic year 2022-2023 where possible, as well as a look back at how our education system has progressed over the five years 2018-2022.
This edition provides a number of insights about the primary and post-primary education system, including:
Among the topics covered in the report are:
• School types
• Leaving Certificate pathways
• Special education
• Access to higher education
• Graduate numbers
• Further education and training enrolments.
This is the only report where data from across the entirety of the education and training sector is presented together. In doing so, the report presents a snapshot of the whole education system at a single point in time while also charting our progress over the past five years.
With regard to primary and post-primary level education, findings highlighted in the report include a rise in the overall number of teachers; a fall in the pupil teacher ratio at both primary and post-primary level; an increase in the number of special needs assistants and an increase in the total number of students taking the Leaving Certificate programme.
In the area of further education and training and higher education, findings highlighted show growth in the number of students availing of opportunities for remote learning; an increase in the apprentice population; a broadening of apprenticeship opportunities and an increase in participation in Skillnet Ireland programmes.
Minister Foley said:
“I welcome the publication of today’s report which presents us with a snapshot of the whole education system and is an invaluable tool in formulating future policy.
“It is heartening to see that a number of key indicators are continuing to trend in a positive direction, particularly the significant improvement we have seen in the pupil teacher ratio at both primary and post-primary and the considerable increase in SNAs and an increase in the number of students using school transport services across the country. We will continue to work to further address these key areas and ensure that there is progress right across the education sector.”
Minister Harris said:
"This report shows the expansion of our education and training offerings across Ireland.
“By broadening the educational pathways available we are allowing learners to engage with, and continue, their education and training journey in a way that works for them, at any stage of life.
“The growth in remote learning in higher education and the increased apprenticeship numbers clearly demonstrate that learners are ready to avail of a range of opportunities to gain their qualification.”
The full report is available online here .