asked the Minister for Education if he has had many applications for rechecks on the results of this year's leaving certificate examination; the number of such rechecks looked for in 1969; and if he is satisfied that the examiners appointed this year were competent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Secondary School Examinations.
21.
Applications for rechecks of results at this year's leaving certificate examination were received on behalf of 1,712 individual pupils.
Firm figures of the number of applications received in respect of the 1969 examination are not now available. However, the officers of my Department concerned in the matter are satisfied that the number in 1969 was far greater than the number in 1970.
I am satisfied that the examiners at this year's leaving certificate examination were qualified and competent to carry out the work. This was borne out fully by the revision carried out in relation to the rechecks.
22.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the nation-wide dissatisfaction at the result of intermediate and leaving certificate examinations in the present year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not aware of any nation-wide dissatisfaction at the result of the intermediate and leaving certificate examinations, 1970, nor of the need for making a statement on the matter.
Is it not true that in regard to the leaving certificate examination in many instances the papers were downgraded deliberately in order to solve the problem of congestion at the universities?
That is not true. There was very little difference in the percentage of successful candidates this year as compared with last year.