Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have some questions and Deputy McConalogue is keen to come back in again briefly. One issue that has been raised already relates to the existing problems with the junior certificate that have been identified. One problem with State examinations is that they contribute to six years of rote learning, or five years if we discount transition year. People are being lost in first or second year because they are simply not suited to the junior certificate as it stands. Either we keep the current system with all the compulsory subjects or we reform it. There is a move to make history compulsory as well as CSPE, PE, science and geography. If that happens there will be no reform; we will simply be keeping the current system. Will the panel comment on that?

Why does a student need a State certificate at 15 years of age? The State certificate makes it into a high-stakes examination. Why do we need a high-stakes examination if there is already such an examination at leaving certificate level? Most people stay on until leaving certificate level.