Mr. Kieran Christie:

Senior cycle redevelopment provides an important opportunity to modernise Irish education but reform must strengthen, rather than weaken, the core principles that underpin public confidence in the leaving certificate.

There are real and present concerns that the rushed implementation that is taking place may increase student anxiety and stress, potentially compromise authenticity, exacerbate inequalities in resources between schools and undermine the validity, fairness and integrity of assessment outcomes. We are urging the Department of Education and Youth to work with the stakeholders. We can all come up with a fair, valid and truly supportive leaving certificate for all learners.