Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 5

Written Answers. - Construction Studies.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

123 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the manner in which construction studies are examined at leaving certificate level is unsatisfactory in so far as pass students have to undertake the same practical and project portion of the exam as honours students, and are, in effect, marked in competition with practical and project honours students; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this results in it being almost impossible for a pass student to achieve a grade higher than C; if she will undertake to arrange a separate assessment of the practical and project work of pass students in construction studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

About 11 per cent of candidates taking ordinary level construction studies in 1990 secured grades above grade C, which is a satisfactory result.

The fact that the practical and project tests are common to both papers allows students to keep open the option of taking the higher or ordinary level examinations until the day of the written examination itself.

All leaving certificate subjects will be reviewed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment over the next few years and it is not intended to make any changes prior to that process.