Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
520. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the contingency plans that have been put in place for the holding of the written leaving certificate exams in June 2021 should Ireland remain in level 5 restrictions or otherwise. [10441/21]
View answer521. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the contingency plans that have been put in place for students who must self-isolate during the written leaving certificate exam period in June 2021; and if they will be given the opportunity to sit the written exam in the subjects they have missed at a later stage but still in time to progress to third-level in September 2021. [10442/21]
View answer548. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if sixth-year students who are unable to return to school due to living with a high-risk family member will be able to receive accredited grades; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10576/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 520, 521 and 548 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.
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.
Providing for both of these measures 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. The SEC-Accredited Grades also provide for students who are unable to sit the examinations at the scheduled time, for example for some students who may be at very high-risk from COVID-19, and in the event that it may not be possible to run the examinations in one or more examination centres or more generally because of COVID-19 related restrictions. There will be no alternative or later sitting of the 2021 Leaving Certificate examinations outside of the examinations commencing on 9 June.
