asked the Minister for Education if she has issued an instruction that students at second level may not be permitted to repeat fifth year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
175.
Written Answers. - Exam Repeats.
174.
asked the Minister for Education in relation to the instructions that school students may not repeat fifth year or the leaving certificate; the number of students affected; the savings she anticipates from this decision in 1987-89 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. I have not issued such instructions. The decision that pupils are not allowed repeat fifth year was conveyed in circular letter M85/85 which was issued to all post-primary schools in October 1985. Paragraph 4 of that circular specifically rules out repeating the first year of the leaving certificate course.
As it has not been the practice in my Department, in the past, to collect information on the numbers of pupils repeating a year it is not possible to provide details of any savings that may have resulted from the issue of circular letter M85/85.