The aspect chosen for this mission is the free post-primary education program of 1967. "The introduction of the post-primary education program in 1967-1968 was an attempt to ensure equal access to all those seeking education beyond the first level” (Curry 2003 p.88). Before this program, people attending second level in Ireland often had to pay tuition fees. Schools run by religious orders, however, often had their own free programs to enable low-income families to obtain a secondary education. In this assignment we will examine why the free system came to be, how it developed and influenced the Irish education system. Finally, we will look at how this impacted our education. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay As noted above, in 1967 Irish education was not free for the majority. In 1967, the Minister for Education, Donogh O'Malley, decided that Irish education needed to change. Why did our system need to be changed? O'Malley decided that no boy or girl should be deprived of a chance to go to school simply because their parents cannot afford to pay for them. “One of the most significant findings of the Investment in Education Report (1965) was that there were serious inequalities in the enrollment of different socio-economic groups in secondary schools. In particular, the report indicated that less than a third were children of semi-skilled and unskilled workers, while almost three-quarters were children of professionals, employers, managers and senior employees” (Curry 2003, p. 87). O'Malley understood that this had to change. In 1967 he put forward the idea. The reason he put forward this proposal at the time was that the Irish economy was constantly growing and the government could afford to support its schools. In addition to these reasons, O'Malley also believed that providing education to the population would slow emigration because the country's workforce would become more educated. “Education and society go hand in hand; education should focus on producing students with knowledge” (Zajda 2001, p. 22). When the program was introduced, it was available in comprehensive and vocational schools and, generally, in secondary schools that chose to take advantage of the free program (Randles, 1975, p. 216-217). The idea was taken to all schools. They could join the program or refuse to do so. The schools that decided not to do this became private schools and the tuition fees were high and only people who could afford the tuition fees would attend. The majority of Catholic secondary schools joined the free education system in 1967 while "the majority of Protestant secondary schools do not benefit from the free system and the Ministry of Education pays a block grant to the Education Committee secondary school, which distributes it, in accordance with a means test, to Protestant parents in order to subsidize their children's attendance at Protestant day or boarding schools” (Curry 2003 p. 87). So how was the project put into practice and how has it evolved over the years? Before 1967, schools could do whatever they wanted. That's what O'Malley wanted to change. The project was designed in such a way that the Ministry of Education would take control of the schools. This meant that the school's fortunes dependednow from the department rather than from school principals or county vocational education committees. This new rule was uncontested and helped pave the way for free education much more quickly. Meetings were held between the Catholic and Protestant Churches to reach an agreement that would satisfy both parties. Many meetings were held with both churches who were unhappy with what was being offered to them. O'Malley wanted to ensure that all parties involved in Irish education would be happy to join the new scheme. Many meetings did not go as planned. During the meetings, O'Malley assured that the program would "provide grants for free textbooks and accessories for day students in need." Under this program, free transportation was also provided for students living more than three miles from a school in which free education was now available” (Curry 2003, p. 88). The aim was to increase attendance at secondary and higher education establishments and to rally all parties concerned to his proposal. To do this, they had to carry out investigations. The options had to become clearer, school survival depended largely on the number of pupils and the number of pupils requiring free education, therefore the outcome would be accepted (Randles 1975 p. 242). How has the project affected Irish education? At first, the new project gradually changed the power of schools and transferred it to the state. When schools announced that they were offering free education, enrollment increased significantly. In September 1967, there were 18,000 students enrolled in secondary schools and the same unprecedented number enrolled in vocational schools (Randles 1975, p. 276). Another effect of the program was the increase in the number of qualified teachers employed. The project brought much greater control over Irish schools. This meant that the influence of the Church over the education system diminished significantly. “Many more secular teachers were hired and the number of secondary teachers doubled between 1967 and 1974” (Tussing 1978). Additionally, secular teachers now also became principals instead of a religious figure being in charge of the school. Education in Ireland changed dramatically over the next ten years. Another radical change that occurred in Ireland following the introduction of this system was the change in employment over the next 20 years. People were leaving school with a different education and mindset. Before the project, the majority of people were self-employed and about half the population worked in agriculture. After the program was implemented, it was said that when people left school, they would find jobs in places requiring a certain degree. Parents of young adults and teenagers could now plan for their children's future instead of leaving school as quickly as possible so the children could help out at home. The program has made Irish education better and more accessible to the Irish people. Although the project had to develop over the years, it changed the lives of the Irish people. So how did the Free Education Act 1967 impact the Irish education system? Firstly, the aim of its introduction was to ensure that everyone had an equal opportunity in education. Which he did. After this program was implemented, everyone was able to go to school and even university. This is still evident today. The unemployed can still get a..