Demand for Dún Laoghaire School of Art to be recognised as a third level college.
The success of the Dún Laoghaire School of Art over the years has led to expansion and now offers a one year foundation course and a three year diploma course. In 1970, the art department moved out of the vocational school and became the Dún Laoghaire School of Art. However, it never became an independent college and still falls under the remit of the Vocational Education Committee.
The Dún Laoghaire School of Art started life as an art department within the vocational school.
Staff at the school are considered to be second level teachers even though they are qualified to teach at third level Regional Technical Colleges. At present the school has 105 students and just three full-time teachers. The school currently operates under restrictive conditions and can not acquire new premises due to its status.
Dún Loaghaire School of Art is well known and respected in art and education circles.
The school has a good reputation with many of its students winning Coras Tráchtála awards which enable them to pursue their studies overseas. Under the current system, students at the school receive NCEA (National Council for Educational Awards) certificates and diplomas. These awards have been established on an interim basis. Minimum qualification for entry to the school is the Leaving Certificate. Every student must complete the one year foundation course before continuing on to complete the diploma.
With the borough of Dún Laoghaire continuing to grow and an increase in demand for places at the school, it poses no threat to the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). The campaign for third level recognition has been going on for some time but so far nothing has happened. As part of the campaign, every day a different student at the school writes to the Minister for Education John Wilson outlining their grievances.
A copy of the letter hangs on the wall of the entrance hall of the school.
Headmaster Trevor Scott, who has been working at the school since 1971, says the main problem is that although the students are on the same level as university students, they are still treated like secondary school students by the department. Staff too are treated and paid as second level teachers. The administration does not receive a third level budget. He says that they are operating third level courses on second level finance.
While the school originated out of a local need, at least 50 per cent of applicants now come from beyond the greater Dublin area. There are also applicants from overseas.
The lack of recognition for the school impacts on students in terms of access to grants and facilities. Many of the courses are under equipped and classes are overcrowded and understaffed.
The campaign for third level recognition has the full backing of the Dún Laoghaire Vocational Education Committee under which the school currently operates. Staff and students are deeply involved in the campaign. They make use of the print facilities to make posters to garner public support for their cause. Teacher at the school Noel O'Connor says that because the school is so small, there is an informal but cohesive relationship between staff and students. Despite this, he says that students have many gripes about the facilities at the school which include lack of space, the staff-student ratio, and the lack of finance.
Mary Gray is a student at the school and says that the problems restrict her ability to learn. While the facilities are not up to scratch, she chose to attend the school because she felt the teaching expertise matched her particular field of interest.
As the interim arrangement for certification is being phased out, staff and students need support and recognition in order to continue. Trevor Scott believes that the school is at a make or break situation and action is needed now.
If we don't get third level ratification, you can see the school being phased down and dying.
This episode of 'PM' was broadcast on 3 May 1978. The reporter is Doireann Ní Bhriain.
