Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - State Examinations.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

303 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of home economics, social and scientific syllabus repeat leaving certificate students who are obliged to have their journal completed by 5 December 2003; and his Department's plans to address and alleviate such difficulties. [22315/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The revision of any syllabus can present difficulties for students who are repeating the leaving certificate. The revised syllabus in leaving certificate home economics became the approved syllabus on 1 November 2002; the leaving certificate examinations in June 2004 will be based on this revised syllabus.

The syllabus has not been changed since the 1970s. Perhaps the most important change from the point of view of quality of learning and teaching is the new emphasis on practical work.

There had been an reliance on terminal examinations alone which is rectified in the revised syllabus.

On foot of a Government decision of 6 March 2003, the State Examinations Commission has been established with statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the national certificate examinations. This would include the deadline for submitting journals of practical work. Consequently I am referring the Deputy's question to the chief executive officer of the commission for direct reply.