Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 7

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Syllabus.

Micheál Martin

Question:

120 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that adequate information and notification has been given to candidates preparing for examination on syllabi which are for first time examination in 1997. [10325/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

In 1997 new revised syllabi in the following subjects will be examined for the first time in the leaving certificate — French, German, Italian, Spanish, accountancy and Irish, except for foundation level which was examined in 1996. The final examinations of the leaving certificate applied, which was introduced on a developmental basis in 1995, will be examined for the first time in 1997.

I am satisfied that adequate comprehensive information and notification was given to candidates sitting examinations in these subjects and in the new programme in 1997. All six revised leaving certificates syllabi and guidelines for teachers were available during 1995. Sample examination questions and papers, written and aural, sample oral tapes and role plays for the oral examinations were made available during 1996 along with supplementary guidelines. In addition, over 7,000 second-level teachers attended comprehensive in-service programmes, organised by my Department, in these subjects during 1995.

The structure and broad assessment format for the leaving certificate applied was available in May 1995. All course modules for the second year of the programme were available by September 1996. An extensive in-career programme is being provided on an ongoing basis since 1995. Following detailed discussions in the autumn of 1996, full details of the format of the final examinations were sent to schools in January 1997 and sample papers for the final examinations were issued in March 1997. The implementation of the development phase of this programme is ongoing.