I propose to take Questions Nos. 491, 492 and 499 together.
As the Deputy is aware, on 29 March I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience. The three tenets of Senior Cycle reform are to:
- Empower students to meet the challenges of the 21st century
- Enrich the student experience and build on what’s strong in our current system
- Embed wellbeing and reduce student stress levels
The reforms I announced will include initiatives to spread the assessment load for students and do so in a way that enhances student wellbeing. In future years, I want to see language Oral examinations and the Music practical performance taking place during the first week of the Easter break of 6th year, in similar fashion to the Easter 2022 arrangements I announced last December. I have asked the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to advise me on the implementation of these changes on a permanent basis following an evaluation of the arrangements in 2022 by the SEC.
In 2022, as in 2021, the Leaving Certificate Oral examinations and the Music Practical Performance are scheduled to take place outside school time during the Easter period. This protects the school year and educational provision to students, reduces disruption, minimises substitution requirements and therefore eases current teacher supply challenges in this area.
These arrangements can also be managed at school level to manage any undue burden on individual students who may be taking Irish, more than one Modern Foreign Language and Music.