Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will now consider implementing the call by a union (details supplied) for open access to third-level and getting rid of the traditional leaving certificate once and for all; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4813/22]
View answerThe question of access to higher education as a policy matter is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. I am aware that it is a key objective of the Department of Further and Higher Education to ensure that there is access into either further or higher education for each person who wishes to pursue educational options at third-level.
In regard to the Leaving Certificate, I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that the Leaving Certificate’s primary function is to provide students with evidence of their learning in senior cycle at post-primary level. It may facilitate entry to higher education by being used by the Higher Education Institutions for that purpose, it is also used by other students to pursue other options such as training, apprenticeships and employment.
The Deputy may be aware that between 2016 and 2020 the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) undertook an extensive review of Senior Cycle programmes and vocational pathways. The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to my Department for consideration. The review involved a very broad range of research, consultations and communications with a wide range of stakeholders, including the union referred to by the Deputy, on all aspects of review and redevelopment over a number of phases over the period of the review.
The Advisory Report maps out an ambitious programme of work, which would enable the development and construction of the components that would make up a Framework for Senior Cycle and will involve further ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation. This will also mean changes for the Leaving Certificate itself, and under the work of Senior Cycle Reform we will seek to capture the full range of skills and aptitudes of students.
I am aware of the desire in the education community and more generally that the NCCA Advisory Report be published but we must first complete our consideration of the Report. I am currently focusing on what the implementation of the Report would involve and what we can do to best ensure the further evolution of Senior Cycle. My officials and I have been considering the Report carefully, with a view to delivering a Senior Cycle programme that meets the needs of the students of today and the future, and the Report will be published once those considerations are complete.
