Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their contributions. Would continuous assessment create a better environment for students? Would it reduce the amount of academic stress currently experienced by students by distributing the stress over a period where several assessments take place?

The committee has discussed the CAO race on several occasions. Today, the witnesses have made the interesting remark that emphasis is placed on third level education rather than apprenticeships. In the past while, the committee has met many groups that called for a greater emphasis to be placed on apprenticeships, as there is a shortage of apprentices in various sectors. At present, all of the emphasis is placed on securing enough points to enter third level institutions or universities. I ask the witnesses to comment on the matter.