Vol. 473 No. 4
369 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Education if she has received a document (details supplied) in relation to arts in education; if so, if she has studied this document; her views on this document; if she will confirm the serious statements therein to be factual; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1499/97]
I received earlier this month the document referred to by Deputy Treacy. The document has been studied by me and by my officials. The proportion of marks awarded for the theoretical and practical components in the leaving certificate art examination at present is quite similar to the proportion that exists for other leaving certificate subjects with practical components e.g. engineering and construction studies. It is extremely unlikely that candidates would obtain a grade D in art at leaving certificate level based solely on performance in the written (theoretical) paper.
The structure of the leaving certificate in all subjects must satisfy matriculation requirements for access to university. The syllabus in art for the leaving certificate is at present under review by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). When I receive a recommendation from NCCA for a revised syllabus in art I will consider it and make a decision about its implementation. It is open to any individual or group to make a submission to the NCCA and the document in question is already with the NCCA. The NCCA has available to it a wide range of expertise in art as in other subjects.
