INTEL CHIEF URGES LOOK AT SECOND-LEVEL - There is growing criticism of Ireland's second-level education, with claims that its current state does little to foster innovation and economic growth.
This is to be the subject of a forum on the transformation of education today at Trinity College, where industry, educators and their unions will be represented.
Jim O'Hara, Intel's general manager for Ireland, said that a 21st century knowledge economy needed a number of fundamentals to be put in place. These included a first-class education system, deeper and broader research and development, a better digital infrastructure. He added that support from Government policies for all three of these areas was crucial, as this would how new jobs would be created.
Mr O'Hara said today's forum would ask where the education system was today, and what needed to be done in the future.
He said Ireland was falling behind in a number of areas. He quoted recent reports showing that in the quality of maths and science education, Ireland ranked 24th, while it was 47th on internet access. Teaching times on maths and science were well below competitor countries, he added.
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