Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

434 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the arrangements in place for the holding of the oral and practical examinations for the junior and leaving certificates; if new dates have been set; if he will ensure that there is a reasonable gap between the orals, practicals and the written exams; the arrangements which are being put in place for the marking of examination papers for the leaving and junior certificates; if he will give an assurance that all papers will be marked by appropriately qualified personnel; if he will give the expected date of publication of the leaving and junior certificate results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9561/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I have re-scheduled the leaving and junior certificate oral and practical tests, which were recently deferred, for the two week period from Monday, 23 April to Friday, 4 May 2001. A circular letter to this effect has issued to all post-primary schools.

The revised schedule is in the best interests of examination students as it ensures that the oral and practical tests will be completed as soon as possible after the Easter break. It also provides a reasonable gap for students before the commencement of the written examinations.

While I remain very hopeful that the outcome of the ASTI ballot will be positive and that this year's examinations will proceed in all respects as usual, I have instructed my Department to keep its contingency plan, including arrangements for marking candidates' work, in place on a precautionary basis.

If the examinations proceed as usual the time scale for issuing the results will remain as in previous years. I have already made it clear in the House that if it is necessary to activate the contingency plan, the results of the examinations may issue later than usual if delays are experienced during the marking process. Some delay may be unavoidable in the case of the junior certificate exam. The priority will be to ensure that standards are maintained. It is essential that the high reputation enjoyed by our public examinations continues and that public confidence in the examination system is preserved.