Dr. Harold Hislop:

I will explain the approach we took towards the content of the examinations. We were conscious that individual teachers and schools will teach the elements of each syllabus in a different order.

They are quite free to do units of work in whatever order they wish. It would have been impossible for us to say X or Y or Z units are to be dropped and they do not have to do those units of work. Instead, the approach was to adjust the assessment and to acknowledge everybody had missed months of study from March to May or June of this year, so we will give greater choice in the examinations for June of 2021. That approach will allow the student to say that he or she does not have to have covered the whole programme, but will still be able to answer and participate in the examination fully.

The downside of that is the point the Deputy makes. Different students in different schools will have had different experiences. In fact, there has been quite an amount of research on the impact Covid has had on the learning of students generally, and this has come up quite clearly. The ESRI has published reports on it, and we have produced reports about it. Part of the reason for that is to highlight to the system for third level, teacher education and so forth that there are going to be gaps in students' learning.

There are other impacts on students as well. We have had to make a strong investment in the well-being of students. Many online resources have been put in place to help students with their well-being and to help teachers to support student well-being. It is not simply academic or cognitive knowledge and skills. We hope, however, that by allowing the wide range of assessment through practicals and orals, as much as possible akin to normal, that we will allow students to demonstrate their skills across all their ability ranges and their competences within each subject as well. Certainly, for universities that receive students, there will be less learning. It is inevitable. However, it is not possible to determine that on an individual case basis.

I apologise for the time, Chairman. I was trying to give a comprehensive reply.