Trevor Sargent
Question:133 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the establishment and terms of reference of the independent examinations commission. [23506/01]
Written Answers. - Independent Examinations Commission.
In June of this year the Government approved major structural reform of my Department. One of the major elements of this reform was the establishment of an examinations commission. The commission will be a body independent of the Department. It will be established under the terms of the Education Act, 1998. It will be headed by a board of commissioners. The commission will have overall responsibility for the certificate examinations within the general policy framework set by the Minister. Its work will include administering examinations, ensuring best practice and advising the Minister as required. It is envisaged that the commission will be headed by a chief executive and will have dedicated administrative and professional staffing.
The creation of an examinations commission with operational responsibility for the running of the examinations will bring us into line with international practice. It will focus the Department on assessment, policy and evaluation and allow the commission to concentrate on the running of examinations.