§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the planning provision and purpose of further education in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ScottUnder the provisions of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1972, further education is the responsibility of the education and library boards, and each board must,
so far as its powers extend … contribute towards the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of the community by securing that efficient education … is available to meet the needs of its area.The costs of maintaining further education are considered against the background of overall expenditure on the education service, and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland maintains close links with the boards and the further education colleges to ensure a consistent and effective approach to the planning of courses, the staffing 96W and grading of colleges and the provision of resources and equipment required to meet the demands of employers and students. Where appropriate the Department issues guidance on the planning and structure of particular courses. There is also liaison between the training and other interests concerned with provision for those who have reached the statutory school-leaving age and the further education sector.
There are 26 institutions of further education which offer mainly non-advanced courses in the vocational field. Where the needs of students or the difficulties of travel call for special treatment some colleges offer advanced vocational courses in relevant subjects. The great majority of colleges also make provision for courses in basic education, adult literacy and other subjects of a non-specialist nature and also part-time courses of general and recreational interest; many non-specialist classes are held in out centres to meet the needs of local communities. Particular emphasis is laid on the vocational preparation of young school-leavers, and the provision of schemes under the youth training programme is now a significant part of the work of colleges.
The provision of advanced courses in further education is mainly the responsibility of the Ulster polytechnic, which is also active in the field of continuing education for adults, often in co-operation with the further education colleges, as are Magee college, Londonderry, and the department of extra-mural studies at the Queen's university, Belfast.