Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 4

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

81 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among students, teachers and parents regarding the higher level biology paper in the 2002 leaving certificate; his views on whether or not the paper was representative of the course; the action he will take to establish the way in which this happened; and the reassurances he can give to students who feel they were unfairly treated. [14196/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I am aware of concerns that have been expressed in relation to the 2002 leaving certificate biology higher level examination paper. In accordance with normal procedures any concerns expressed to my Department are being forwarded to the chief examiner.

The examination paper was designed to test candidates' knowledge across the range of the syllabus. The current biology syllabus is presented in ten sections and no section of the syllabus was omitted from the examination paper. There is a significant element of choice within the examination paper whereby candidates are required to answer four questions from eight questions provided in part 2 of the paper. Candidates are required to answer six questions from seven short questions in part 1 of the paper.

Our examination system is acknowledged to be one of the most open, transparent and pro-candidate national examination systems in the world. Its mechanisms can take on board genuine con cerns that interested parties including schools and students might have in relation to the examinations.

Over and above any observations submitted, as a matter of course, subject associations and the teacher unions each year provide observations on question paper content to my Department in advance of each marking conference. All observations received in relation to a subject are made available to the chief examiner for consideration in the context of preparing the marking scheme for that subject. The marking scheme is developed at the marking conference by the chief examiner and the team of examiners who are drawn from teachers of the subject. In the case of biology, experienced teachers acting as examiners, are able to input their own considered views into the formulation of the marking scheme.

As it has been the practice for a number of years to publish the detailed marking schemes used in the marking process, all interested parties will be able to satisfy themselves in relation to the marking process that applies in the case of biology this year. Any candidate who chooses to view his/her marked script will have access to the marking scheme and will be able to see at first hand precisely how the finalised marking scheme applied in his or her own case.