Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.

Michael Noonan

Question:

240 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern of students and their parents regarding the leaving certificate higher history examination paper; his views on whether this paper was totally dissimilar to the history papers of recent years; if he will instruct the examiners to mark the answers with leniency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15877/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

As the Deputy is aware, the content of leaving certificate and junior certificate examination papers has been the subject of much comment and analysis in the media in recent years. It is important that we view all such comment in a balanced way, having due regard for the need for validity, reliability and the maintenance of appropriate standards in our examination system.

As outlined in rules and programme for secondary schools 1998-99, the syllabus requires that students be "well informed on the particular period studied" and that they should acquire "an understanding of the main trends, issues and events in the social, cultural, political and economic context of that period". In addition, the syllabus requires "an understanding of basic historical concepts and issues" and expects of students that they will have acquired the ability "to exam ine critically and discuss statements on historical topics".

Applying the above criteria, the examination paper in History (Higher Level) for 1999 falls within the given parameters of the stated aims and objectives of the programme. It is noteworthy that all topics on the examination paper have been examined on previous occasions, while many topics have been asked on numerous occasions.

Each year teacher representatives submit observations on examination papers to the Department. It is Department policy to refer such observations to the chief examiner for consideration and discussion, as appropriate, with the panel of advising examiners. Due allowance is made in the marking of scripts where any shortcomings in a particular paper or in a particular question are identified through this process.

Apart from ensuring that this process takes place, I believe that it would be entirely inappropriate for me, as Minister, to intervene directly in the marking of scripts.