Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
596. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education to explain why leaving certificate language oral exams take place at Easter; if the impact on students was taken into account when this change was made; and if she intends to review this decision. [18026/23]
View answerFor 2022, the Leaving Certificate oral examinations took place outside of school time over the first week of the school Easter holidays. This was in response to the need to take steps to limit teacher absences from schools given challenges associated with sourcing substitute teachers. It was intended to minimise further disruption to teaching and learning in schools and in particular for those candidates preparing for their examinations.
The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation and delivery of State examinations. I requested the SEC to undertake an evaluation of the 2022 experience of holding Oral and Music Practical examinations at Easter so as to inform the approach for 2023. Following a preliminary review, the SEC extended the arrangements that applied in 2022 for the Oral examinations in Irish and the Modern Foreign Languages for a further year. These examinations were held over the Easter holidays from Saturday 1 April to Thursday 6 April last.
A more extensive evaluation involving engagement with all of the stakeholders is required to fully assess the impact of holding the oral examinations at Easter, in order to advise me on the timing of Oral examinations in future. This evaluation will be undertaken as part of a more comprehensive review of the overall issue of examiner supply for the State examinations.
