Vol. 541 No. 3
197 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason special consideration was not given to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary when sitting her leaving certificate examination in June 2001; if a special concession will be afforded at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22611/01]
In the interests of equity and fairness across the entire body of candidates and to ensure the credibility of the examination system, the work done by students must ultimately be assessed according to the same strictly objective criteria. This is achieved by having a common marking scheme apply to the work of all candidates in a subject and at the same time by ensuring that every effort is made to ensure that full credit is given in accordance with that marking scheme for the work done.
My Department instructs all examiners who have a difficulty in accessing the information given by a candidate to refer the script to their supervising examiner. This approach is intended to ensure that, notwithstanding any presentational or readability difficulties, every effort is made by the examiner to ensure that the candidate is given credit for all work done. However, in the event of the examiner encountering difficulty he or she is instructed to send the answer book to his or her supervising examiner.
Where a candidate opts to appeal the grade awarded in a particular subject, the re-marking is done in accordance with the original marking scheme. The objective of the appeals process is to detect and correct any error in the original marking and in doing so to ensure that all examination candidates are treated in a fair and even-handed manner. The appeals process is rigorous and has the integrity to detect and correct any error in the original marking of a candidate's work.
