Ireland

__**Ireland**__ ...is a country that like Afghanistan, has seen political strife affect its educational system. Long-raging disputes between Protestants and Catholics have permeated the climate of Ireland. While the country sees much more equity amongst sexes and races, their are major concerns about curriculum that caters to one religious group.


 * Primary**--In 2007, there were 475,836 students (male and female) enrolled in primary education facilities. Students enter at the age of four and stay for 8 years. 98.8% of all students go on to participate in secondary education.


 * Secondary**--90.25% of girls of the appropriate age enroll in secondary education; this is just slightly more than the 86.10% of males of the same age. They enter at the age of 12. I find it very interesting that the teacher-student ration is 1:10.54.


 * Tertiary**--61.19% of students of the appropriate age enroll in tertiary education.The social sciences/business/law are the most popular post-graduate careers with 28.4% of students pursuing such careers.


 * Human and Financial Resources**--In primary education, 84% of teachers are females while 62% are females in secondary (very different from Afghanistan!). The government allots a typical 14.0% of its budget for education. Primary and secondary education use up about 68.1% of this funding.

@http://ged.eads.usaidallnet.gov/query/do