Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

I wish Mr. Burke well in his new role. I also compliment him on being instrumental in the policy decision to open up scripts to students. Mr. Burke is an innovative individual and I am sure some of my suggestions can be implemented as I see no reason they should not be. I would like him to put to bed, or address firmly, one or two issues, if he can do so. I have raised these issues in the past but I have never been able to get to the bottom of them. My first point is on errors in examination papers. I am not aware of the extent, or otherwise, of them this year. I know there was an error in the junior certificate history paper. The incorrect year was given in the essay section on various political leaders. I understand that students were informed verbally of the error in the examination halls. I do not know how many students were affected but in some schools, students with special requirements are located in outer rooms and I know of one case or two cases where such persons were not informed of the change. In the first instance, there should not be a typographical error and papers should be fool-proof at this stage but if an error occurs, there must be a mechanism to ensure every student is informed. In this case, the error was not earth shattering as it was a junior certificate examination but if the same happened in a leaving certificate paper, it could have had serious implications. Some students may not have answered the question because it was incorrectly worded even though they could have answered it. I am not sure whether the error generated publicity at the time.

The second issue is in regard to scripts being opened up for perusal by students. I raised the issue of the return of materials on the art course with the previous Minister for Education and Skills. The scripts and materials are sent back to he schools where pupils can, quite rightly, view them. I do not know what happens to them when they go back for re-examination or whatever but they may be destroyed. I have been approached by the families of some students who would like the artwork to be returned to the students and I cannot see why their request cannot be facilitated. For many of the students, it is probably the most important piece of artwork they will do in their career.