Education and Regional Development: An Irish Case Study.

Overview & Synopsis

Among the range of resources in the Mid-West Region of Ireland, higher education is an important, if costly, element. Five university institutions, eight colleges of education, two colleges of technology, and since 1970 nine regional technical colleges offer a higher education. The very large second level student body of the Limerick region was denied access to higher education, unless they travelled outside the region to Cork or Galway, between which Limerick is geographically situated. Since a case for a university at Limerick was rejected in 1967, the Higher Education Authority in 1968 recommended the establishment of an institution of higher education providing technological education at various award levels. Therefore in 1970, the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was founded, having both a national and a regional function. This study examines the Mid-West region (demography, physiography, economy, education) and the NIHE, and evaluates some of their salient features. Some aspects of the present interaction between them are described and an extended pattern of constructive interaction is advocated and analysed. In this analysis the education system is seen as a component part of the socioeconomic fabric of the region; its quality and quantity will not determine autonomously the fate of the region. Also given is some statistical data on the total and rural population, employment, and enrollment in the post primary schools and in NIHE. (Author/NQ)