Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Dec 1983

Vol. 346 No. 10

Written Answers. - Certificate Examinations.

110.

Mr. Shatter

asked the Minister for Education the reason boys are given different numbers when doing the inter-certificate and leaving certificate from the numbers given to girls thus rendering it possible for teachers correcting the examinations to know whether they are correcting a girl's or boy's examination paper; if she will standardise the examination numbers so that the sex of the pupil undertaking such examinations is not apparent to those correcting the examination papers; and if she will confirm that identical standards are applied when correcting the examination papers of both boys and girls.

111.

Mrs. O'Rourke

asked the Minister for Education if it is possible to ascertain the sex of an examination student when correcting papers in the State certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. Hussey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.

The issues raised are of concern to me and I am having the general question examined in my Department.

Separate ranges of numbers for boys and girls have been used for the purpose of calculating the number of boys and the numbers of girls taking the various subjects in the examinations, and their results. Such statistics are important in giving information in regard to differences in subject choice between boys and girls. When arrangements for the computerisation of the examination system are introduced it may be possible to approach the question of statistics on a different basis.