Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Leaving Certificate Marking.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

193 Mr. O'Shea and Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Education if arbitrary percentages are applied to the various subject grades in the leaving certificate; if she considers this fair and just; if, in particular, she supports a system which may make administration easier for universities but which can be most unjustly disadvantageous if the students whose grades are arbitrarily reduced are in competition with students from other EC countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I can assure the Deputies that arbitrary percentages are not applied in the marking of any subject in the leaving certificate examination. My prime concern is to ensure that there is a uniform system of marking and that all candidates are treated equally.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has at my request set up a committee representative of interested parties to examine the pattern of results at the leaving certificate on a subject by subject basis with particular reference to the relative percentages by grade by subject and to make recommendations.

I am in touch with the NCCA with a view to the report of the committee being made available as soon as possible.