Vol. 459 No. 7
103 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to introduce a system whereby examination results will be posted directly to the homes of pupils; her views on the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18818/95]
The present system ensures that all candidates receive their results on the same day, thus minimising stress and anxiety. While An Post can guarantee next-day delivery of the results to the 800 post-primary schools, they could not do so for delivery to the homes of 130,000 students. The junior certificate results, and the leaving certificate results, will therefore continue to be sent to schools for all school-based candidates.
I would also like to stress the positive role played by school principals and teachers in conveying the results directly to their students and the support which they provide to candidates who may be distressed by the results. Candidates who are disappointed can be re-assured by the principal and teachers that there are options open to them, including applying for a re-check.
Up to 1995 the results of the junior certificate were issued on the second or third Wednesday in September. This year the junior certificate results were issued on the preceding Monday.
My Department has also commenced a pilot study aimed at assessing the capability of technology to read marks directly from source examination documents into the computerised examination system. The objective is to arrive at a situation by 1998 where the junior certificate results will be issued to schools before they re-open in September.
