Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 3

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Paul Bradford

Question:

167 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who is dyslexic and is currently undertaking his leaving certificate examination, will get special consideration in the marking of his examination papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

As the Deputy may be aware I have expanded considerably the arrangements that can be made at the certificate examinations for students with special needs. My intention is to make the examination system more inclusive and responsive to those with special needs.

In the case of the leaving certificate examination, an additional 20 minutes was allocated for certain subjects where some students might have a difficulty with the extensive essay writing involved. I have also provided, for the first time, for students to seek an exemption from some components of a subject. For example, a deaf student can achieve the maximum grade without having to take an aural examination.

While improving the arrangements I have also maintained the position that examiners who have difficulty accessing material presented by candidates may refer the candidates script to their supervisor. This is to ensure that notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties every effort is made to ensure that the candidate is given full credit for all work done.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that, in the interests of equity and fairness across the entire body of candidates and indeed to ensure the credibility of the examination system, the work of students must ultimately be assessed according to strictly objective marking criteria which relate exclusively to the assessment issues for the subject concerned.