Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
452. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a hybrid format for the leaving certificate in 2022 given the serious disturbance to student education over the past three schools years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5198/22]
View answerI am very aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations this year. The State Examinations Commission, with my Department, has been progressing planning for these examinations, in consultation with the Advisory Group on Planning for the State Examinations. The group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers and school leaders, as well as the SEC, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Higher Education and my Department.
My Department and the SEC have sought, through various measures, to take account of the disruption to learning experienced by Leaving Certificate 2022 students. These include adjustments to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 examinations that were announced in August 2021. The adjustments were designed to take account both of the disruption to learning experienced by students in the early part of 2021, as well as providing for some possible further disruption in 2021/22.
Revised arrangements for Leaving Certificate Language Oral Examinations and the practical performance tests in Leaving Certificate Music were announced before Christmas. These examinations will take place outside of school time over the first week of the school Easter holidays, minimising the disruption to teaching and learning, as this change will limit teacher absence from schools.
Timeframes for certain assessment elements of the Leaving Certificate Applied examinations have also been pushed out. Schools were also reminded of the flexibilities regarding the dates for completion and authentication of examination Coursework.
An alternative set of Leaving Certificate examinations are also scheduled to be run this year, shortly after the conclusion of the main set of examinations, for students who are unable to sit the main set of examinations for various reasons, including Covid-19 illness, bereavement or serious illness.
I am continuing to engage with stakeholders on all matters relating to the examinations. At last Thursday’s meeting of the Advisory Group a number of updates were received from group members, including reports of emerging and final results from surveys that members had conducted. All parties committed to continued engagement in the short period ahead, in order to provide clarity in relation to the examinations.
It was agreed that the members of the group would reflect on the contributions made at the meeting, and that engagement would continue between myself and the various stakeholders on a bilateral and intensive basis. This engagement has been continuing since late last week, over the weekend and into this week, with a view to reaching an appropriate solution which responds to the concerns and issues that have been raised. A further meeting of the Advisory Group will be held and I am working towards a decision in relation to the examinations being made as soon as reasonably practicable.
