Statement–Courses of Action (higher education capacity planning): There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of successful candidates in this year's School Leaving Certificate Examination; which course(s) of action logically follow—immediately increasing the number of seats in intermediate courses in existing colleges and proactively opening new colleges to accommodate the expanded cohort?

Given data

• There is an exceptional surge in students qualifying for the next stage.
• Courses proposed: (I) Increase seats in existing colleges. (II) Open new colleges.

Concept/Approach (short-term relief + medium-term expansion)When demand spikes, immediate capacity can be added by expanding seats where feasible, while structural expansion via new colleges addresses sustained growth.

Step 1: Course I – Rapid capacityAdding sections, evening shifts, or temporary infrastructure helps absorb students quickly.

Step 2: Course II – Structural capacityOpening new colleges provides durable capacity for future cohorts if the surge persists.

Verification/AlternativeEducation planning typically combines incremental seat increases with new institutions to avoid bottlenecks.

Common pitfallsTreating the actions as mutually exclusive; or focusing only on long-term builds while neglecting immediate accommodation.

Final AnswerBoth I and II follow.