Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The process will be different, in that two options are being provided for - the accredited grades system and the written examinations in June or whenever. The Senator is correct, in that students will have the opportunity to avail of one or both. A slight difference from last year is that the portal that students use to opt into the calculated grades process will open much earlier this year during the week of 8 March, thereby affording them the opportunity to choose one or both processes. There will be another opportunity in April, at a date yet to be confirmed, to revise their choices if they so wish.

It is my preference and determination to encourage as many students as possible to take the written examinations in June. By having the chance to avail of both options, they will be able to make the best of their opportunities and situations. That will be a positive step forward. Given that we are in a pandemic, it is only right and proper that students be afforded the choice.

There is no valuing of one process over the other. When they receive their leaving certificate results, there will be just one set of results and it will not stipulate whether they came from calculated grades or written examinations. They will be of equal measure, which is only right and fair, given that these provisions are being made in acknowledgement of the loss of in-person learning of five months last year and two months this year. The two processes carry equal weight.