Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
500. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that are in place for the correction of leaving certificate English paper one at the end of the first year of senior cycle; if these arrangements have the agreement of the teacher's unions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, on March 29th 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 include initiatives to spread the assessment load for students and to do so in a way that enhances student wellbeing.
In the programme of work ahead we will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment beyond terminal written examinations, over a less concentrated time period, in line with international best practice. It will enable us to maintain the high standards and quality that we need to continue to achieve in our schools to serve our students well. It is vital that the form of assessment we use both reflects excellence in standards and truly enables all students to showcase their abilities.
Bearing in mind the significant assessment load at the end of sixth year, as an interim measure I have asked the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to immediately alter the timing of Paper One in both Irish and English so that Paper One would take place at the end of fifth year commencing for fifth years entering fifth year in September 2023.
The Deputy will be aware that the SEC is a statutory body established in 2003 under the Education Act, 1998. The SEC’s role is to provide a high-quality candidate-centred state examinations and assessment system incorporating the highest standards of openness, fairness and accountability. The written examinations provided by the SEC are marked by examiners, (generally experienced teachers in the subject), who work under the overall direction and management of the Chief Examiner for the subject. There is a particular focus on quality assurance throughout all of the SEC’s procedures including the marking of the examinations. The management of the State examinations, including the marking of examinations and the timing of the marking, are matters for the SEC.
As I have said, altering the timing of Paper One in Irish and English is an interim measure designed to spread the assessment load and thereby reduce the stress experienced by students, pending the full development of a variety of examination components in all subjects. It should also be noted that the weighting and importance of Paper One in each of the subjects has not been changed or reduced.
A Senior Cycle Programme Delivery Board will be established which will have responsibility for overseeing the redevelopment of Senior Cycle and the implementation work involved will include consultation with education partners, including teachers, students, school leaders and parents.
