Vol. 518 No. 3
327 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the junior certificate metalwork projects are not returned to students after correction; and the proposals, if any, to change this situation. [11788/00]
Every year, my Department examines over 1.5 million scripts, practical pieces and other test products. It has not proved logistically feasible to facilitate the return of this quantity of examination material to candidates on an individual basis. Through the co-operation of school authorities it has proved possible to provide leaving certificate students with an opportunity to view their marked scripts though initially school authorities had reservations about storage and other issues.
The basic difficulty is our total reliance in Ireland on external assessment at junior certificate that in turn necessitates the movement of some practical pieces from schools to the Department. In other countries students' project and practical work is assessed by their own teachers and consequently the work is readily available in the school.
328 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if the proposals he has concerning students taking engineering for the leaving certificate will not require students to take a practical examination; and the educational basis of this proposal. [11789/00]
Review of all four technology subjects, including engineering, is at present being undertaken by the NCCA. Part of the review process will focus on modes of assessment appropriate to any new programme proposals. The structure and content of the proposed new syllabus places a strong emphasis on problem solving, research, analysis and the design and manufacture of practical solutions. I have not as yet received any proposals from the NCCA in relation to how the revised syllabus in engineering may be assessed.
329 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if the failure rate in the 1999 summer exams in Trinity College Dublin for first year engineering and for first year communications and information technology was 70% and 50% respectively and maths was the subject most people failed in; if he will investigate the suspicion that a high failure rate is acceptable in institutions which do not have the facilities for expensive second year programmes; and the action, if any, he will take to ensure courses in maths particularly are appropriate and spread out over a number of years. [11790/00]
I am having inquiries made in this matter and I will arrange for a response to issue to the Deputy in due course.
