The aim of this website is to present general information on the
services and facilities that are provided by Co. Roscommon V.E.C.
Chief Executive Officer:
ELMA NERNEY
Co. Roscommon VEC Members
Co. Valerie Byrne, Lisduff, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.
Co.
Liam Callaghan, Rathmoyle, Lisalway, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.
Co. Michael Creaton, Loughglynn, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
Co.
Tom Crosby, Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon.
Mr. Donal Farrell, 3
Abbey Heights, Boyle, Co Roscommon.
Mr.
Anthony
Geraghty,
Lissygrehan,
Kiltoom,
Athlone,
Co.
Roscommon
Mr.
Charlie
Hopkins,
Derriniskey,
Arigna,
Carrick-on-Shannon,
Co.
Roscommon
Co. Ernie Keenan,
Carrickmore, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Ms.
Carol Kelly,
Carnagh
East,
Kiltoom,
Athlone,
Co.
Roscommon
Co.
John Kelly, The Avenue, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
Co.
Jimmy Kenny, Cloonbeggane, Ballydangan, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.
Co. Orla Leyden,
Castlecoote, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
Ms.
Colette McGovern
Spencer
Harbour
Drumkeeran,
Co.
Leitrim
Co. Michael Mulligan,
The Square, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.
Paul
Noone,
Lisnagat,
Carrick-on-shannon,
Co. Leitrim
Ms.
Jane Suffin,
Felton
Road,
Boyle,
Co.
Roscommon
Ms. Ann Walsh, The
Plains, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Role of the County Roscommon Vocational Education Committee
Co.
Roscommon Vocational Educational Committee is responsible for the delivery
of Post-Primary Education up to Leaving Certificate
standard and Post-Leaving Certificate courses certified by the
Further Education & Training Awards Council (F.E.T.A.C.) in its second-level
schools.
Other areas of responsibility include:-
Adult and Continuing Education
Adult education is an integrated part of all
Co. Roscommon V.E.C. Schools and Centres. Within the scheme, the Adult
Education Officer has responsibility for its development in the schools/centres
and in local communities to meet the needs of individuals and local areas.
V.T.O.S - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
The
delivery of second chance education and training to meet the needs of unemployed
adults interested in gaining new skills and qualifications which will enhance
their employment prospects. Two year full-time programmes are
offered. Part-time equivalents will be offered in the immediate future.
'Youthreach'
The provision of up to two years of co-ordinated
education training and work experience for unqualified early school
leavers. The programme is intended for young people who have left the
formal school system without qualification, are over 15 years of age, out of
school for over 6 months and not in full-time employment.
Basic Education - Co. Roscommon V.E.C. operates and promotes a
literacy and basic education service through networking, raising awareness and
recruitment of volunteer and paid tutors. Classes can be one-to-one or
small group work.
Prison Education
In partnership with the Department of
Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science,
Co. Roscommon Vocational Education Committee provides over 10,000 hours of
tuition in the Education Unit of Castlerea Prison, thus enabling those under
sentence to achieve personal development, to cope with their sentences, to
prepare for life after release and to establish an appetite and capacity for
further education after release.
Community Education
Co. Roscommon V.E.C. offers a programme of
community education at subsidised rate. Many of the courses are offered at
community halls/centres throughout the county on request from a community
group. Relief of fees for other courses is also available through this
programme for disadvantaged adults. Active Age Groups are supported and
community projects of an educational nature may also be funded within the limits
of the budget.
Programmes/Courses
Adult Education in co-operation with other agencies
are provided in a range of subject areas. Examples include Computer Courses for
the Enterprise Board, Mobile Computer Suite in co-operation with the Partnership
Company. Modules for the Certificate in Rural Enterprise for Teagasc,
Social Care Certificate/Diploma and Counselling Skills Certificate in
association with NUI. Course for C.E. Schemes in co-operation with
FÁS.
Grants -
Administrator of Grants and Scholarships for third level institutions
Future Policies and Actions of County Roscommon Vocational
Education Committee
Recent legislation and Bills currently before the Oireachtas
will determine the future role and expansion of activity.
The Education Act 1998
-
Establishment of Boards of Management in all schools in
receipt of Public Funding. This will ensure that Parents, Teachers and
Patrons will have rights under law and be involved in the management of
their schools.
-
Sets out the functions of School Principals and Teachers.
-
Makes provision for appeals and grievances.
-
Provides for the rights of students over 18 to access their
school records and for the Parents of those under 18 to do likewise.
Education and Welfare Act - October, 2000
-
Provides a statutory framework to deal with the problems of
non-attendance, early dropout and low performance among primary and
post-primary students.
-
School-leaving age is 16 years of completion of 3 years
second-level education, whichever is later.
-
Establishment of a National Welfare Board to promote school
attendance.
-
Appointment of Education Welfare Officers to work with
Schools and assist in coping with problems of poor attendance and disruptive
pupils.
-
The National Education Welfare Board will have overall responsibility
for the implementation and operation of the Act.
-
Obligation on Boards of Management to source a place in
another school for a student under threat of expulsion.
Vocational Education (Amendment)
Act - 2001
Provides for amendments to the law relating to the membership of
VECs and performance of their functions.
"8. (1) Subject to
subsection (2), a vocational education committee shall consist of the following
members , that is to say-
(a)
9 members elected by-
-
(i)
The council of the county being the vocational education area for
which that committee is the vocational education
committee, or
-
(ii) The council of the county being or
including the county vocational educational area, for which that committee
is the vocational education committee,
as
may be appropriate, from among the members of the council concerned,
(b)
In the case of the a county vocational education area that contains
one or more urban districts-
-
(i)
(In the case of a council areas containing not more than 4 urban
districts) 2 members
elected by the council of each urban district within the county vocational
education area concerned, whether members of the council concerned or not,
or
-
(ii) (In respect of council areas containing more than 4 urban
districts) 1 member elected by the council of each urban district within
the county vocational education area concerned, whether a member of the
council concerned or not,
(c)
2 members elected by parents of students who have not reached the
age of 18 years and who are
registered as students at recognised schools or centres for education
established or maintained by the committee,
(d) 2 members elected by the members of the staff of the
committee, and
(e) 4 members appointed by the council of the county, being a vocational education area, or by the council of the county,
being or including a county education area, as may be appropriate,
after consultation with person elected under
paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d), from among persons
nominated by such bodies as, in the opinion of the council
concerned, are representative of-
(i)
students,
(ii)
any class of trustees of community colleges maintained by the
vocational education committee concerned,
(iii)
members of the staff of the vocational education committee (other than members
of the staff belonging to the
same class as members of staff as either of the members elected
under paragraph (d),
(iv) voluntary organisations, community organisations or Irish language
interests, or,
(v) persons carrying on, in places within the vocational education area
concerned, trades, professions or commercial or
industrial
activities.
Functions of VEC
-
Reserved
functions for Vocational Education Committee e.g. Acquisition of lands,
powers of borrowing, suspension of officers, payment of expenses etc.
Executive
functions will be performed by C.E.O.
Youth Work Bill - April, 2000
Role of VEC
To ensure the provision of Youth Work Services and Programmes in
each VEC area by providing financial assistance to approved national voluntary youth work
organisations.
To monitor and assess the Youth Work programmes for which they
provide monies.
In consultation with its Youth Work Committee, will prepare a
Youth Work Development Plan every 3 years with special regard to the needs of
disadvantaged youth.
The Bill provides for:
-
The appointment of an assessor of Youth Work (national).
-
E
stablishment of a National Youth Work Advisory Committee (27-29 members)
-
Establishment of a Youth Work Committee in each VEC (3 years
term), (12-20 members) - nominees from VEC, FÁS, Health Boards, Gardai and
Local Government.
-
Voluntary Youth Council (19-20 members) to advise VEC in
relation to Youth Work Planning and to nominate representatives to the Youth
Work Committee.
-
The designation of Local Youth Work Organisations by VECs.
-
The preparation and supervision of a Youth Work budget by
the VEC.
White Paper on Adult Education - July, 2000
Proposed objective - Lifelong Learning Strategy - The emergence
of lifelong learning marks one of the most significant and potentially
far-reaching developments in contemporary society. The concept aims to
deal with educational disadvantage amongst adults and to promote social
inclusion.
-
To put in place effective local structures responsible for
coordination and development of strategies to promote life-long learning.
-
Establishment of Local Adult Learning Board to promote a
coordinated area-based approach to the delivery of Adult Education
services. This Board will be a statutory sub-committee of the VEC.
-
Appointment of another Adult Education Officer to coordinate
service and needs of Secondary, Community and Comprehensive Schools.
-
To promote and support the development of Community
Education provision
-
To develop an effective system of basic education/literacy
which can be availed of by adults who have difficulties with reading,
writing and numeracy.
Useful links to other V.E.C.'s
Co. Donegal VEC - www.donegalvec.ie
Co. Monaghan VEC - www.monaghanvec.ie
City of Dublin VEC - www.cdvec.ie
Co. Dublin VEC - www.codubvec.ie
Co. Cork VEC - www.cocorkvec.ie and www.corkvec.ie
City of Galway VEC - www.cgvec.ie
Co. Limerick VEC - www.colvec.ie
Co. Clare VEC - www.clarevec.ennis.ie
Co. Wicklow VEC - www.wicklowvec.ie
Co. Sligo VEC - www.sligovec.ie
Co. Offaly VEC - www.offalyvec.ie
Co. Meath VEC - www.meathvec.ie
Co. Kildare VEC - www.kildarevec.ie
Co. Cavan VEC - www.cavanvec.ie
Co.Westmeath VEC- www.westmeathvec.ie
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