asked the Minister for Education what action he proposes to take to ensure that children, who missed sitting for certain papers in the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations because of changed arrangements that were not properly communicated, pass their examinations if they have qualified in the subjects in which they were examined.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Intermediate and Leaving Certificate Examinations.
104.
There could be no question of lack of proper communication in relation to this matter.
The alternative arrangements in regard to the examination timetabled for Wednesday, 18th June, namely, that these examinations would be held on the following Saturday, 21st June, were published in the form of an official advertisement in all four daily newspapers on Wednesday, 18th June. In the advertisement it was confirmed that examinations on Thursday, 19th and Friday, 20th would be held as timetabled. Similar information was broadcast by RTE in several news bulletins on 17th and 18th June. The superintendents at all the examination centres were separately notified.
I am having all cases of pupils who missed sitting for certain subjects examined with a view to determining what steps might be taken in relation to them.
I should like the Minister particularly to look into the case of a small number of girls in Rathcoole Vocational School who were not allowed to do the examination in the vocational school as there were no examinations there and they had to go to Naas. They went all the way to Naas to find out if certain papers were being taken and they were told that there would be nothing until Saturday. I think two subjects that were important to them were taken in the meantime.
Yes, I shall have that looked into. I am satisfied now that the arrangements we have been able to make are such that no candidate will be deprived of the examination in any subject and that this will involve holding another supplementary examination in Latin. I am giving this information because the question has been down for some time.