asked the Minister for Education, following recent meetings with interested parties, if he will give the up-to-date position regarding the decision to specially endorse the State examination certificates of students with learning disabilities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Endorsing of Certificates.
25.
As I undertook in my reply to questions on this subject on 23 April 1986, I arranged that senior officials of my Department meet representatives of the Dyslexia Association of Ireland to discuss the issues involved. The meeting took place on 25 May 1986. I have carefully considered the views of the association as expressed at that meeting but I am still of the same mind that the certificates should be endorsed in the circumstances outlined in my earlier reply.
Has the Minister informed the association of his decision?
I cannot say that categorically but I understand they are so aware. I will ascertain if a letter has been sent to the association.
I understand that the association are not aware of the position but I accept that notification may have been sent out in the last few days. Is the Minister aware of the extreme disquiet among parents about this matter? I have spoken to many parents and they are genuinely distressed at what they see as an obvious disadvantage to their children. The Curriculum and Examinations Board envisage changes in examination structures which will endorse an element of oral and practical competency in most subjects in the future. In view of that does the Minister not feel that a dramatic change such as a special endorsement on certificates of pupils with learning disabilities will severely impair their chances of employment? Will the Minister agree that in many instances it will lead to those young people not being called for interview for a job although they may be eminently suitable for the vacancy?
The Deputy will recall that we had a long question and answer session on this issue two months ago. At that stage I indicated the reasons why it was felt that an endorsement was necessary. Essentially it is to preserve the integrity of the certificates. There is no reason why it should, and I do not have any evidence that it has, prejudice any of the holders of such certificates. I cannot anticipate what the new Curriculum and Examinations Board will do with regard to assessing, marking or certifying examination results.
I should imagine some form of certification will have to be continued although probably some element of assessment will be introduced also. It will be a matter for the board how they wish to treat these certificates, whether they are to be accurate on their face or whether they are not to be endorsed. If they are not endorsed it could lead to the accusation that they are not accurate on their face, that they are concealing the fact that the pupil concerned was given special facilities.
Obviously I sympathise with the parents and we have given careful consideration to their views. One area where changes could be made that would preserve my position while going some way towards meeting the anxiety of parents would be the actual form of endorsement to be made. Possibly it could indicate the nature of the special facilities awarded. That would be an improvement. If there is any apprehension with regard to the attitude of employers, I shall take an initiative in addressing publicity material to employers to reassure them that there is no question of the holder of an endorsed certificate being any less intelligent or less worthy a student. Both of those points were suggested by the parents and they are worthy of consideration.
I am very disturbed about this and because of that anxiety I pursued the matter by way of an earlier priority question also. In 1973 the Department saw fit to initiate special procedures for State examinations for pupils with learning disabilities and they have served everyone well. Why after 13 years did some anonymous person out of the blue get the idea into his or her head that the certificates should be endorsed? No matter what publicity the Minister may engage in, to a potential employer the receipt of a certificate that has a special mark on it will put that applicant in the "no go" category. I agree that some philanthropic-minded personnel manager may see it as his duty to investigate further but in general the people concerned will be put at a disadvantage. Does not the putting of a mark on a certificate place the person in a special category? I am appalled and distressed at what is happening here. It is unfair from the educational and social points of view and it is showing discrimination against the pupils concerned.
The Deputy is completely ignoring the other side of the coin. I can understand the compassion and motives on which she bases her argument. It is no joy for me to have to reject such an argument based on compassionate grounds but we must look at the entire picture. In this case the entire picture involves the integrity of a State certificate. It is wrong to suggest this came out of the blue at the behest of some anonymous person in my Department. For a long time we have been worried in the Department about the integrity of the certificate because of the lack of this endorsement following the special facilities introduced 13 years ago for pupils with handicap. The change was made not to prejudice the pupils but to preserve the integrity of the certificates. If this endorsement were not on the face of the certificate it would mislead people.
I can see no reason why it should not be possible subsequently to explain fully and thoroughly to prospective employers the form of assistance given, whether tape recorders or anything else. The Department can help in giving this assurance to employers and I shall see that they do help in terms of preparing appropriate publicity material. A prospective employer will be assured that the standard of learning and attainment and the IQ of the pupil are in line with his peers and the results shown on the certificate, taking into account the special facilities given because of the handicap of the pupil. I cannot accept that pupils will be prejudiced. Steps can be taken to make sure of this through the publicity mechanisms I have suggested. Sometimes the correct decisions are not always the easiest to make. However, in this case I am satisfied the correct decision is the protection of the integrity of the certificate on its face.
I am calling Question No. 26.
With the permission of the Chair, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of my Private Notice Question to the Minister for Agriculture. It is very urgent.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.