Vol. 553 No. 5
253 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to widespread concern amongst students at the leaving certificate honours biology paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/02]
I am aware of concerns that have been raised in relation to the 2002 leaving certificate biology higher level paper.
Our examination system is acknowledged to be one of the most open, transparent and pro-candidate national examination systems in the world. Mechanisms are in place to take on board genuine concerns which interested parties, including schools and students, might have in relation to the examinations. Over and above any individual observations submitted, as a matter of course, each year subject associations and the teacher unions regularly provide observations on question paper content to the 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 finalised at the marking conference by the chief examiner and the team of examiners who are drawn from the teachers of the subject. In the case of biology, experienced teachers acting as examiners will be able to input their considered views into the framing of the marking scheme.
As it has been the practice for a number of years to publish the detailed marking schemes ultimately 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 scripts will have access to the marking scheme. They will be able to see at first hand how the marking scheme was applied in their case.
