High levels of pride in Irish education system according to 30 country Ipsos study

In the latest edition of our annual Education Monitor – conducted across 30 countries, including Ireland – we explore attitudes towards education and schools, with a special focus on the role of technology, AI and smartphones.

SOME KEY FINDINGS FROM IRELAND:

  • High levels of pride in the Irish education. 64% in Ireland think that we have a good education system, compared to a global average of 33%. Out of the 30 countries surveyed, Ireland ranks third in citizen perceptions of their education system. Rightly so, given Ireland’s high ranking in the international PISA educational rankings published by the OECD.
  • This pattern of positive perceptions of the Irish educational system is evidenced throughout the report with 67% feeling that the higher education system in Ireland adequately prepares students for future careers (4th highest of the 30 countries surveyed), and 64% feeling that most educational institutions in Ireland have adequate resources and facilities (6th highest of the 30 countries).
  • Split opinions on the likely impacts of advances of technology. While 29% feel that the advances in technology (including artificial intelligence) will have a more negative than positive impact on education in the future, 25% feel that it will have a more positive impact. Almost a third (31%) believe that the impact will be both positive and negative.
  • Support for a ban on smartphones in schools. Almost two-thirds in Ireland (64%), and 53% globally believe that smartphones should be banned in schools. This comes as the Minister for Education issues new guidance on implementing a mobile phone ban across all schools in Ireland.
  • Challenges to the education system vary greatly by country. In Ireland, overcrowded classrooms (34%) and a lack of public funding (33%) come top. In the US, concerns focus around political or ideological bias (33%) and safety and security (31%).

ACCESS THE FULL REPORT HERE

For further details on this report, please contact Kieran O’Leary, Director, Ipsos B&A: kieran.oleary@ipsos.com

Key findings of the main global report: