Vol. 409 No. 8
8 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
17 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
20 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
21 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
25 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
30 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
39 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
68 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
88 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if it is proposed to introduce a new system of certification for satisfactory completion of senior cycle at post primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
98 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education her views on whether there is a need to get the assessments in the new junior certificate sorted properly before any decision is made on the senior certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos 8, 17, 20, 21, 25, 30, 39, 68, 88 and 98 together.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment have prepared a position paper on the provision to be made at senior cycle, including the question of certification, following receipt of the views of a wide range of educational interests. I have already expressed publicly my overall agreement to the proposals and will be making a more detailed announcement on the matter in due course.
The question of assessment at the Junior Certificate is the subject of consideration at present by a working party comprising representatives of the Department, school management and teacher unions, headed by Dr. Tom Murphy. Their terms of reference relate only to assessment for the Junior Certificate and their recommendations will not directly impinge on the overall structure of senior cycle provision.
Is the Minister aware that the current speculation about the possible new system of certification for leaving certificate pupils has arisen from the fact that a sensitive internal draft document prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment was leaked to The Irish Times and on 6 June it appeared on the front page with an extensive article on the inside pages of the same newspaper and a further editorial on the draft, and that there is considerable disquiet within the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment about the leaking of this draft document?
I should think there would be. The first I knew of that was what I read in The Irish Times. I followed that up the next day by giving an interview myself, and I sought to assuage the fears that were being expressed. Be that as it may, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and their committees are composed of many people and that document would have been in the hands of dozens. One cannot keep matters such as that private. In general I have to say that the idea of having a debate about education is good if there are ideas to be put abroad and submissions to be received. Remember, this had gone over a wide area all over the country covering all sorts of interests, and the amazing thing was that it was not produced until that time. In general I see no harm in a very full debate. If in the morning one were to wake up and say that this is what is going to happen, then all sorts of rí rá would emerge. A document entitled Senior Cycle Provision—a Position Paper has come into my hands in the last few days. It sets out options and discussions and a wide range of interests has been consulted. I think it is a very eXciting development.
Will the Minister not agree that instead of adding fuel to the fire, if she disagreed with the context of a leaked document being given to one journalist only, she should therefore have refused to make any comment thereon? Is it her policy that certain selected journalists are to be accorded preferential treatment on education briefings, particularly in relation to sensitive matters, in return for rather glowing and unwarranted comments on her educational performance which does little to preserve the traditional integrity and independence of the newspaper in question to the exclusion of the Irish Independent, The Irish Press and The Cork Examiner?
That is a matter for the Deputy to take up. I am very fond of all journalists. It is for the Deputy to take up the challenges facing him. That would have nothing to do with me. If the Deputy has gripes against particular newspapers he should go about his business.
The Minister has acted in a very unprofessional manner.
Question No. 9.
The Deputy obviously does not understand. He will learn that he has a long way to go.
