Community Links Programme - creating opportunity for all

A Brief 

The Pathways Through Education Programme started in 1997. The programme has been managed jointly by the Dublin Institute of Technology’s Community Links Programme and the two participating schools -  Presentation Secondary School, Warrenmount and St Paul’s CBS, North Brunswick Street. The programme draws upon psychological models to provide therapeutic interventions to students in Junior Cycle. The programme involves weekly sessions with First Year students and regular workshops with Second & Third Year students. The Counselling service is open to all students and their parents.

The Programme’s Rationale

The Pathways Through Education Programme recognised that psychological factors play a major role in the under-achievement of some students in the educational system. Many students need extra support to specifically address these psychological factors in order to create more possibilities for their futures. The raising of the students’ self-esteem, confidence and sense of motivation was seen as being of central importance to this. These help the students develop a greater understanding and experience of their emotional selves and enable them to look for their needs to be met in a healthy, age-appropriate manner. Additionally they are enabled to make choices either to change aspects of themselves or to accept aspects of themselves that they cannot change. They are also empowered to develop confidence to try new things and explore possibilities that will enhance their lives.

The Importance of Self-Esteem

A child’s level of self-esteem will determine not only his educational progress but also his emotional, social, intellectual, sexual, career and spiritual development, (Tony Humphries, Self-Esteem – The Key to Your Child’s Education, 1996). Psychological research suggests that if a person feels good about him/herself and feels that they have something to offer the world they are part of, there is a better chance of him/her attending school and completing their studies and realising their full potential.