asked the Minister for Education (i) the number of young people sitting for (a) the intermediate and (b) the leaving certificate examinations this year; and (ii) the number, or estimated number, of mature students sitting for both examinations.
Written Answers. - School Examinations.
85.
The number of school candidates entered for these examinations in 1980 is as follows:—
|
Intermidiate Certificate |
52,624 |
|
Leaving Certificate |
37,202 |
The estimated number of candidates entered for the leaving certificate in 1980 in accordance with the provisions of rule 47(a) of the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools is 4,660.
There is no definition of mature students in these regulations. Only pupils qualified in accordance with rule 31 are eligible for admission to the intermediate certificate examination.
86.
asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the purposes for which the leaving certificate is intended and if he has satisfied himself that it is adequate for these purposes.
It is stated in the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools that "the aim and purpose of the Leaving Certificate course is to prepare pupils for immediate entry into open society or for proceeding to further education."
The range of subjects in the programme for the leaving certificate examination, and the syllabuses in the various subjects, are kept under regular review.
I am satisfied that, in the context of regular review and adaptation of the course and the syllabuses as required, the leaving certificate course is generally suitable for the purpose for which it is intended.