Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:519. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education when students will receive their SEC-accredited grades and the results of written exams they have taken. [10440/21]
View answerWednesday, 24 February 2021
Questions (519, 527)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:527. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the reason students will not receive their SEC-accredited grades in advance of the written exams in June 2021. [10448/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 527 together.
On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades.
This decision follows intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Planning for State Examinations 2021 Advisory Group and sub-group.
This decision ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.
Putting in place both the examination and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure.
Under the SEC-Accredited Grades process, students will have the opportunity to opt to receive an SEC-Accredited Grade. They can also opt to sit the Leaving Certificate Examination. Students will opt into these processes on a subject by subject basis. Where students opt for SEC-Accredited Grades and the examinations they will be credited with the better of their results from the two processes, on a subject by subject basis.
The option of providing their SEC-Accredited Grades to students in advance of the written examinations was explored thoroughly but this option was not possible.
Students who choose to receive both SEC Accredited Grades and sit the Leaving Certificate examinations will receive a certificate of results showing the better grade awarded for each subject.
It is intended that the results of the Leaving Certificate 2021 process will issue to students within the required timeframe for admission to higher and further education.