Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 1989

Vol. 394 No. 6

Written Answers. - Junior Certificate Assessment System.

161.

Mr. J. Bruton

asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Italian equivalent of the Irish junior certificate, the Licenza Media, has been altered in order to include, in addition to written and oral examinations, an interview bearing on all subjects which is intended to be the culmination of a system of collective continuous assessment; and if she will take account of the success of this Italian initiative in coming to conclusions on the assessment system for the junior certificate.

169.

Mr. J. Bruton

asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in Australia the junior certificate is awarded wholly on the basis of internal school examinations and teacher assessment; and if she will request the National Curriculum Council to examine the operation of this system, in conjunction with Irish teachers who have had practical teaching experience in Australia, before coming to a final conclusion on the method of assessment they recommend for the Irish junior certificate.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 169 together.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is engaged in a consultative process on a number of issues relating to assessment/examination procedures for the junior certificate and hope to submit their recommendations to me shortly.

I am confident that the council's deliberations will be informed by the experience of other countries.