Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Leaving Certificate Reform: Discussion (Resumed)

Professor Michael O'Leary:

I will address two points. First, we are some way off having a total computer-based leaving certificate programme. However, important steps have been made in that we have a new computer science programme where the examination is computer based. It is on the way, which is great.

Second, I would make a plea. Please, let us not forget what we learned in 2020 and 2021 about teacher involvement in their own students' assessment. In my view, most teachers will know more about their students' achievement than any exam or continuous assessment will be able to tell us or them. That conversation must not be shut down.