asked the Minister for Education if he will consider the issue of credit certificates to students who pass individual subjects in the Leaving Certificate and other examinations under the jurisdiction of his Department, as is the custom in other countries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Credit Certificates for Students.
32.
Having regard to the nature of the Deputy's question, I presume that what he has in mind are the Leaving and Intermediate Certificate Examinations.
The aim of the Leaving Certificate, as stated in Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools is "to testify to the completion of a good secondary education and to the fitness of a pupil to enter on a course of study at a university or an educational institution of similar standing."
The purpose of the Intermediate Certificate, as there stated, is "to testify to the completion of a well-balanced course of general education suitable for pupils who leave school at about 16 years of age and, alternatively, to the fitness of the pupils for entry on more advanced courses of study in a secondary or vocational school."
Apart from the fact that the issue of certificates for individual subjects would not be in keeping with the aims of these Examinations as thus stated, I am satisfied that it would not be educationally sound to adopt any such practice generally.
I might say, however, that a certified statement of the marks obtained by any candidate, whether or not the candidate qualified for the Intermediate or Leaving Certificate, can be obtained by the candidate or by any person acting on his behalf for a fee of 2/6.
The Minister will no doubt appreciate that all those who pass the examination do not go to university and does he not consider that the issue of a limited certificate would be of considerable advantage to some students for the purpose of obtaining employment and, for that reason, will he not reconsider the whole question?
It would be a disadvantage.
As I said, they can obtain a statement of their marks, which, I am sure, will be sufficient for any employer. The certificate examination has particular aims.
I think the Minister will find that a certificate would be better from the point of view of the employer.
He will.