Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2008
713 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on changing the chemistry examination for the 2009 leaving certificate examination in view of the concerns that students of this subject have articulated in having the subject on the same day as English paper two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23123/08]
View answerThe new Leaving Certificate examination schedule for 2008 was agreed with a working group representing the Partners in Education, and is designed to reduce the demand on students especially during the first week of the examinations. It advanced Chemistry, which is sat by some 7000 students, and Geography, sat by some 25,000 students, to Thursday and Friday respectively of the first week, which, with Home Economics which is sat by some 12,000 students, ensures that the majority of students get a break of at least one half day during this intensive phase. The new timetable was designed to reduce the writing burden on students by introducing a new mix of subjects between those that involve concentrated writing and those that involved less such as mathematical or scientific papers.
I am inviting Leaving Certificate students to meet with me directly after the examinations finish this year, so that I can hear their views on the new timetable which was introduced this year. This feedback, allied with the views of the Partners in Education can inform the formulation by the State Examinations Commission of the next year's schedule.
