asked the Minister for Education the reason she exercises discretion in regard to decisions to grant students a right to repeat a year in school in order to obtain better points in the Leaving Certificate.
Written Answers. - Repeat Leaving Certificate Students.
129.
Circular Letter M85/85, which issued to post-primary schools in October 1985 introduced the requirement that, with effect from the beginning of the 1986-87 school year, the intermediate certificate be of three years' duration and that the leaving certificate course be of two years in all schools. That circular went on to say that "in so far as the Senior Cycle is concerned practices that result in a de facto three-year Leaving Certificate course will not be accepted e.g. having a repeat first year or having a two-year course to Ordinary Level followed by a third year at Higher Level or any other such arrangements”.
Following discussions with interested parties — management, teachers and parents — I decided earlier this year to introduce a degree of delegation to school authorities to allow repeat years for the current school year subject to compliance with criteria which I have now outlined in a further circular letter. In addition any student may repeat the leaving certificate examination subject to the payment of the appropriate fee.