The Taoiseach has given his strong backing to a programme of radical reform and change in Irish education.
In a key address today, Enda Kenny said recent OECD results - which showed Ireland dropping down the international rankings on literacy and numeracy - "give us all reason to think carefully".
Mr Kenny said the Government is committed to reforms, even where difficult, that will ensure the State's education system is fit for purpose.
The OECD results, he said, support the case for current core curricular reforms in maths and also in literacy. "Curricular and assessment change is difficult and we must look beyond sectoral interests if we are to implement reform.
"All students - from those studying ABCs right up to PhDs - must be encouraged and facilitated to be independent learners and to experience working creatively in teams," he said. "My vision is for all Irish students to be able to leave school or university with the confidence and the skills to create their own jobs. To break new ground. To achieve the unimaginable."
The Taoiseach made his comments as he opened the second Intel forum on 'Transforming Education in Ireland'.
Mr Kenny said new thinking, new ideas and new ways of doing things will breathe life back into the economy and the education system.
"Change is always difficult for some, but that is the challenge of the new Government, to manage and deliver on change. The era of political and economic drift is over. We have set a vision for a prosperous and fair country, and we are busy making the decisions to get us there.''
The recent visits by Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama had, he said, reminded the world of Ireland's strengths. "They have shown a global audience what Ireland has to offer: our well-educated, friendly resilient people.''
In thanking Intel for their contribution to the Irish economy, Mr Kenny declared: "We will maintain Ireland's 12.5 per cent rate of corporation tax, which is a long-standing and necessary part of our enterprise strategy. Only yesterday the OECD highlighted the folly of increasing the rate.
"We have improved our competitiveness, trebled R&D activity and continue to have soaring exports.''
Mr Kenny said the Government is committed to supporting R&D and innovation in higher education, with a new emphasis on commercialising this research.
"Only last week Minister Bruton announced a €10 million investment in two technology centres designed to turn research and development ideas into jobs. This follows the recent announcement of funding for research centres in cloud computing and energy, and increased Enterprise Ireland support for start-ups. This investment in a time of scare resources demonstrates my Government's commitment to research, education and innovation.''
The Intel forum brings together key figures to examine how the education system can be recast to meet the needs of the 21st century knowledge based economy.
