Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Junior and Leaving Certificate Examinations.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

219 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on reports on changes for consideration in marking of papers in the 1999 leaving certificate for students diagnosed as dyslexic; the reason special consideration previously given to students who sat the 1996 junior certificate is now being withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28099/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

It is not the case that special arrangements granted to students who sat the junior certificate examination in 1996 are being withdrawn when those students come to sit the leaving certificate examination. Any such student will continue to have his-her application assessed in light of the most up-to-date information provided in relation to the application.

Traditionally, where a concern has been expressed regarding the readability of material, this has been brought to the attention of the individual examiner. However in the event of an examiner encountering difficulty in reading the script, the examiner is instructed to send the answerbook to his or her supervising examiner. This is to ensure that notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties every effort is made by the examiner or supervising examiner to ensure the candidate is given full credit for all work done.

For any one subject a common marking scheme is applied to the work of all candidates taking the subject regardless of whether the candidate has a specific learning difficulty which might cause difficulties with the presentation and ultimate readability of material presented for examination. This year my Department has moved to strengthen this arrangement by instructing all examiners who have a difficulty in assessing the information given by a candidate to refer the script to their supervising examiner. The intention is to ensure problems with readability whether or not brought to the attention of the Department are dealt with by the examiner and that no candidate is disadvantaged.

The change is operational in nature and, as I have already explained, does not involve any change in the actual marking of examination material submitted by students with specific learning difficulties. Every effort will continue to be made to ensure full credit is given for work presented and in 1999 examiners will, as was the case in 1996, be required to apply the agreed marking schemes consistently to all candidates to ensure equity and fairness.