Vol. 430 No. 2
306 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education her views on the fact that students taking the Junior Certificate in June 1993, had to choose the paper they are taking in the exam, be it higher, pass or foundation course, in February 1993; and whether this placed undue pressure on many students.
The Junior Certificate examination is taken after a period of three years' study.
It is considered educationally undesirable to have young students still uncertain of the levels which are appropriate to them up to the time of the examination.
Therefore, with the advice of their teachers, candidates for the Junior Certificate were required to indicate their final choice of subject level not later than 31 March 1993. The pressure of choosing levels was thus removed and they are better able to concentrate on and prepare for their examination.
