Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 3

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

142 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all articles made during the project work for the junior metalwork exams are taken by courier to Athlone, County Westmeath for evaluation; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that these articles are never returned to the students who made them unlike those in the woodwork section where the Inspector comes to the school and the student is then allowed to take their project article home; his views on whether the situation with the metalwork student is fair; the reason if it is necessary to bring these articles to Athlone, County Westmeath, that they cannot be returned by the same courier system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15727/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

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 although 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.

In the context of the ongoing review of junior cycle my Department issued a discussion paper advocating changes in the approach to assessment at junior certificate. Ultimately, it is in the context of overall reform at junior cycle that improve ments such as that suggested by the Deputy can be advanced.