Further Education and Training Colleges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Ceisteanna (951)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

951. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Question No. 656 of 6 October 2015 regarding accountability and transparency in further education grading procedures, if she will note that the policies and guidelines available on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland website at www.qqi.ie make no provision for further-education students to receive an explanation of the reasons they have been awarded a particular overall grade on coursework they have submitted, in contrast to policies and guidelines governing higher education students, for whom such a provision does exist, as published on the this website in 'Assessment and Standards, Revised 2013' by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. [37647/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

As outlined to the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 656 of 6th October 2015, providers of QQI validated education and training programmes are required to establish procedures which are fair and consistent for the assessment of enrolled learners.

While the current guidelines and regulations in respect of Further Education and Training (FET) programmes contain provisions in relation to learner feedback, it is QQI's intention to strengthen these provisions when introducing new FET guidelines and regulations.

The preparation of these guidelines is at a preliminary stage and stakeholder consultation will be sought prior to their adoption.