asked the Minister for Education if he will state, in relation to the 1971 leaving certificate examination, the subjects on which sample papers have been issued and the subjects on which sample papers have not been issued to the schools concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leaving Certificate Examination.
107.
Sample papers for the leaving certificate examination in 1971 have already been issued to schools in the case of Irish, English, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, French, German, Spanish, Physics, and Chemistry, Biology, Home Economics (Scientific and Social), Home Economics (General), History, Geography.
Sample papers in the subjects Engineering Workshops Theory and Practice, Technical Drawing, Mechanics, Applied Physics, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Accounting, Business Organisation, Economic History and Art will be issued before the commencement of the next term.
It is not intended to issue sample papers in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chemistry, Music, General Musicianship, General and Practical Musicianship.
In the case of Italian a circular has been issued stating that the format of that paper will be similar to that of the other modern language papers.
The issue of sample papers in Building Construction is being confined to the small number of schools in which that subject is being taught.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say why it has taken so long to issue these sample papers, particularly having regard to the fact that there are quite a number of new subjects in the 1971 leaving certificate? It is most unfair to both teachers and pupils that they do not know the extent of the treatment they will have to give to these subjects.
I can tell the Deputy, in relation to all the subjects which I have indicated, that samples have not yet been sent but are actually in the course of being sent now. I do not think there will be any further delay.
There is very little time left for the pupils and the teachers.
They should be ready for issue as far as I can see by the beginning of next term.
Will any allowance be made in the marking of these examinations in 1971? I am referring to the new subjects in particular.
Which subjects?
Accountancy and Business Organisation.
Possibly it is because they are new subjects that there has been some delay, but in regard to both of these subjects the papers are to be ready today and they will be stencilled immediately.
The school term is almost finished, so the pupils and teachers will not be able to study them.
The Deputy will appreciate that I do not pretend to be an expert in teaching techniques or in the whole sphere of education but the idea that one would be under a significant disadvantage in getting sample papers 6 months before examination to such an extent that one would have to get an allowance in the examination is hardly tenable.
I think so, in new subjects certainly.