Micheál Martin
Question:109 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the number of leaving certificate examination recheck applications submitted in 1996; and the number of upgrades awarded following such re-checks. [17805/96]
Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.
A total of 10,433 applications for recheck of leaving certificate results were received in my Department in 1996. In all, 955 upgrades were awarded.
Micheál Martin
Question:110 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the reason for the high failure rate in the classical studies leaving certificate examination; whether the marking scheme was changed in 1996; and her future policy in relation to this subject. [17806/96]
The percentage of candidates with a grade E or lower in the higher level classical studies paper which had averaged around 10 per cent increased to 23 per cent in 1995 and 27 per cent in 1996. There are a number of reasons for this failure rate. A significant proportion of students take up classical studies for the first time in the senior cycle; a significant number of students take classical studies for one year only when repeating the leaving certificate examination; there has been a large increase in the numbers taking classical studies particularly in 1994 and 1995; and the course is wide ranging and the quality of answering on some topics was very disappointing. This was indicated in the recently published leaving certificate classical studies 1995 report of the chief examiner. In effect many candidates take the higher level course with inadequate attainments in the subject.
The extensive marking scheme for the 1996 examination, which will be published shortly, was consistent with that used in 1995 except that the questions were different. It indicates what the examiners expected as answers to the specific questions.
Classical studies will continue in the curriculum.