One of the peculiarities of the Irish education system is that while the Central Applications Office (CAO) wields huge power, it rarely - and only very reluctantly- engages in public debate. In this context, the article from the CAO in today's editions is to be welcomed.
It comes after a turbulent period for the Galway- based organisation. On two crucial days in January, its computer system malfunctioned as anxious students and parents scrambled to make their application before the February 1st deadline. The defensive approach of the CAO to those who had encountered difficulties attracted criticism from the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin and others.
In today's article, the CAO explains how its role is simply to facilitate the processing of applications of behalf of third-level colleges. The CAO says it is there to serve the third-level colleges and the students applying for places. It is heartening to hear the CAO place this stress on the needs of the thousands of students who use its system. At times, it can appear that the current system is designed to suit the needs of the colleges and the CAO itself, rather than the student. At present, students must make their initial application by the February 1st deadline, while a Change of Mind application must be submitted by a July 1st deadline.
The former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, Brian Mooney, makes a persuasive case for a more flexible system in which students can pre-register for college during their Leaving Cert year and, if necessary, change their application when their exam results are known. This would allow students make an informed choice about their college options. In the process, it might also help reduce the current high drop-out rates across all third-level colleges.
The CAO has at least signalled a readiness to change and adapt. The third-level colleges, especially the universities, can help here. They should become more actively involved in the day-to-day running of the CAO, ensuring that the organisation is genuinely student-friendly. The CAO is there to serve the colleges but there is little sense, at least publicly, that it is held to account by them.
Historically, the CAO managed a system where demand for college places greatly exceeded the supply of places. Today, we are dealing with the reverse of this, where fewer students are chasing more places. The 1999 Commission on the Points System proposed no fundamental change. But the radical changes we have seen at third-level since suggest that another root-and-branch review may be required.