Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection

Implementation of Junior Cycle Student Award: Minister for Education and Skills

4:30 pm

Photo of Averil PowerAveril Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is why there needs to be a compromise. I do not know why schools cannot swap exam papers. They can be numbered, which is what is done in college. Sometimes, one is taking a small course and one wonders whether, despite the anonymous number, the lecturer will still have a good idea as to whose paper he or she is marking. There is external spot checking of papers to ensure there are no issues and standards are upheld.

There must be a way to break through the impasse. Third level has appeal systems and this is how it is done in other countries. This situation has grown ridiculous and students are getting caught in the middle. They do not know where they stand. They are hearing that their English course is being changed, but that their English teachers will not co-operate with that change. This is frightening for the young people to whom I have spoken.

I urge the Minister to listen to people's concerns. I call on the teacher unions to make a submission on the real issue, namely, resources. We all need to know where we stand. The next stage for our committee may be to hold a debate on the matter with the various partners. Let us invite the unions to tease out the issue of resources and ask them to make a presentation, just as the management bodies have.

Given the politics, it may be unusual for me to say I agree with the Minister, but I also agreed with and supported this reform when it was raised in the Seanad three years ago and I will not change my mind just because we are in a stand-off with the trade unions. Our children matter. They should be everyone's priority in this debate.

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