Progressive College Network welcomes government reform proposals for English language schools

Monday 25th May 2015 – The Progressive College Network, the representative body for several of Ireland’s private colleges, has welcomed the publication of the Government’s outline reform proposals for English language schools.

The Government has approved the implementation of a series of reforms to improve standards and regulation of the English language school sector.

The Progressive College Network is an organisation comprising private colleges with a common interest in the promotion of the education industry in Ireland and abroad and the promotion of improved standards of education and compliance within the industry. Members of the network include SEDA College, NED Training Centre, International College of Technology, CITAS College and Academic Bridge.

David Russell, Chairperson of the Progressive College Network said: “We welcome the Government’s publication of proposed reforms to the English language school sector. Private College Network members fully support the introduction of regulatory reforms that will guarantee a high quality sector for students, teachers and colleges.”

“We look forward to working with the Departments of Education and Justice over the coming months as they introduce the reforms leading to the establishment of the International Education Mark. All English language students should receive a high-quality education that is accredited and recognised internationally.”

“The Progressive College Network is conscious of the need to protect foreign students and the significant sums they have spent in coming abroad to learn English. As a result we have already developed an insurance policy that guarantees student protection in the event of college closure and all our members hold this policy.”

“We are confident that our member colleges will be in a position to comply with all the new regulatory requirements as they already operate high-quality education systems. We are hopeful that the four months afforded to applicant colleges will give colleges who are not currently ACELS accredited enough time to satisfy the requirements laid down by the Department. Moreover, we would like to get full details of the appeals procedures for colleges applying to the new accreditation system, information on which types of English language courses will be permitted and the conditions under which such international accreditations can remain on the Interim List.”

About the Progressive College Network

The Progressive College Network is newly formed organisation to meet the demand for an alternate representative body for the private college community in Ireland. The objectives of the organisation are:

• To promote Ireland as a high quality education destination for both EU and Non EU/EEA students.
• To promote the pursuit of continual improvement standards by colleges in the network.
• To ensure the protection of students and their fees by the inclusion of a comprehensive insurance policy covering every programme delivered by member colleges for the benefit of the students themselves.
• In conjunction with the insurance policy to harmonise the operational systems of member colleges with a view to improvements in the delivery of educational programmes and the transition of students between colleges if necessary.
• To protect the interests of its membership at representative level and to give a clear and collective voice in all debates concerning the sector in Ireland and abroad.
• To supply reliable and objective information for the benefit of students and the international market on all issues concerning the private education sector in Ireland.

For more information contact Tim Kinsella/Cian Connaughton 01 7038600