Vol. 501 No. 5
141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if second level students who have completed their transition year outside Ireland can proceed to leaving certificate without having to study for a further three years; if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6594/99]
A pupil is eligible for admission to the leaving certificate course if the pupil has followed an approved junior certificate course of not less than three years duration as a recognised pupil, or a course of education of similar standard and duration. A pupil is eligible for admission to the leaving certificate examination if the pupil has followed an approved leaving certificate course as a pupil in a second level school for not less than two years.
The transition year is a year between the end of the junior certificate and the beginning of the leaving certificate programme. The content of the programme is designed by the school in accordance with departmental guidelines. A school can choose to allow a pupil or pupils to spend a period of the transition year in another country as part of that schools transition year programme.
The decision about whether or not to provide a transition year programme rests with the individual school. So does the decision about whether or not to make the programme compulsory for all pupils. These decisions are normally taken in consultation with the whole school community, including parents. Any difficulty that a pupil may have in this regard should be taken up with the management authorities of the school concerned.
