In 1966 the Minister for Education, Donogh O’Malley, wanted to expand the educated workforce so that Ireland would be more attractive to foreign businesses. He introduced major reforms to the education system, including:
• free schooling up to the Intermediate Certifi cate (the old name for the Junior Cycle).
• free transport for students to schools. • grants to build more schools.
• Regional Technical Colleges (the old name for Institutes of Technology) were opened.
The impact of these reforms was huge: the numbers sitting the Leaving Certifi cate rose from 8,600 in 1961 to 24,000 in 1972. The practice of Irish children leaving education after primary school was ended by the early 1970s.
Donogh O’Malley An Irish classroom in the late 1960s
CHECKPOINT!
1. When did RTÉ start broadcasting? 2. Name two ways in which RTÉ affected Irish society. 3. Why did Pope John XXIII call the Second Vatican Council? 4. Name two reforms of the Catholic Church introduced by the Second Vatican Council. 5. How did Donogh O’Malley reform Irish education in 1966?
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6. Which do you think was the most important change in Irish society: RTÉ, Vatican II or the education reforms? Give reasons for your answer. I understand the changes within Irish society in the 1960s.
