Vol. 437 No. 6
37 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the report of the National Education Convention's call for the introduction of assessment in the Junior Certificate, she intends to proceed with the home economics Junior Certificate practical examinations; if so, when schools will be informed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
54 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will make extra funding available for the assessment of wood technology and home economics for Junior Certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
93 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the confusion which exists regarding the assessment of practical projects in home economics and wood technology at Junior Certificate level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
614 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the late announcement of projects in home economics and woodwork technology at Junior Certificate level.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 54, 93 and 614 together.
I intend to proceed with the assessment of practical work in home economics and music in the junior certificate examinations in 1994. A circular letter is being issued to schools informing them of the arrangements. The reason for the delay has been the difficulty in securing the agreement of teachers and management to the proposed arrangements, particularly those for home economics. This agreement has now been obtained.
The assessment in home economics and music will be carried out by the class teacher, or by another teacher in the school or by visiting examiners appointed by the Department. These assessors will be paid a fee in respect of each candidate. In the case of materials technology — wood — the position is that the existing practical examination is being replaced by a project which will be assessed in the schools during the month of June by visiting examiners who will be paid a per capita fee. The list of projects from which junior certificate materials technology candidates select was issued to all post primary schools on 13 January 1994.
Full briefings will be provided for assessors and external monitors and in-service training for teachers whose students are being assessed.
At long last this question is being dealt with. In view of the fact that the Department of Education was aware of the intense difficulties experienced by teachers and pupils since last April, why is this problem only being dealt with now? Why have no guidelines been issued to the students and why, since the Department was supposed to be dealing with this question as a matter of urgency, was there no communication, particularly with the president of the Home Economics Teachers' Association? Does the Minister not realise that many of these young children will be doing their mock examinations in three weeks' time? Will the Minister ensure that her officials act when they are asked to do so and not prevaricate on issues such as this?
A circular letter detailing the arrangements that will apply in 1994 is about to issue. Sample papers for the written examinations will issue to schools in the next week. During the next year the work of the assessors will be monitored and the assessors and monitors will be fully briefed. Arrangements are being made for in-service training for teachers whose students will be assessed. This is good news and a very important move. I had hoped to put these arrangements in place before the Christmas holidays. However, assessment in schools must have the agreement, not only of teachers but of management and the Department of Education. I am pleased that two days ago we finally reached a satisfactory agreement which allows all of us who are committed to introducing assessment to put this arrangement in place.
Will the Minister agree that this is just a little late for the children who will be sitting examinations this year.
We are talking about the junior certificate examination and about children in the care of specialist teachers. I have every confidence that having reached agreement on this matter assessment will be introduced in schools. That is a major step forward and good news for other subjects that will be affected at a more senior level.
The Minister did not answer my question. Her reply gives no solace to the children who will be sitting examinations this year. We are all aware that children as young as 14 and 15 years are under great pressure and it is unacceptable to talk about what will happen next year or at senior level.
I still maintain that this is good news. The measure has been welcomed by schools and management who are aware of the ongoing difficulties in putting assessment in place. I would prefer to describe this as good news because we will move forward on many fronts on assessment. This is a very important hurdle in assessment of other subjects in senior programmes in our effort to make the leaving certificate relevant to all students.
