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State Examinations Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 February 2014

Thursday, 27 February 2014

Questions (97)

Robert Troy

Question:

97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the impact junior certificate reform proposals will have on the staff of the State Examinations Commission in Athlone. [10097/14]

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Written answers

The reform of the Junior Cycle and the provision of a JCSA at the end of the three years will not have a significant impact on the role of the State Examinations Commission (SEC). New subject specifications are being phased in over several years from Sept 2014 with the first examination in English in 2017. The SEC will provide final examinations in English, Irish and Maths for the foreseeable future and will provide examinations in the existing junior cycle subjects until the new specifications are implemented. In addition the SEC will provide examination papers and marking schemes for the new specifications as they are introduced. Where any resources become available they will be required to assist with the introduction of new specifications at Leaving Certificate which will have new examination components e.g. practical examinations in the sciences etc. This will require significant involvement of the SEC. It is not intended that into the short to medium term that there will be any loss of jobs in the SEC. In fact the role of SEC will be central to all the reforms envisaged both at junior cycle and senior cycle.

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