Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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When will the decision in respect of oral examinations be made and communicated with students? Obviously, the decision in respect of mock examinations is one for each school to make. The mock examinations have to mimic the final examinations, so if in situexaminations are expected to take place in June, an early decision in that regard would help schools in the context of in situ mock examinations and the additional resources required in that regard. I know it is in the lap of the gods in some ways and we are trying to predict the health situation at that stage, but early communication is key. The biggest concern this year, last year and the previous year was the additional stress on students in connection with the type of examination they would face. It is about making sure they know as quickly as possible that the Department is considering the likes of oral examinations being dealt with in the same way they were in April 2021 - maybe the meeting today will have done that - or at least are informed that discussions are ongoing. My daughter is doing the leaving certificate this year, as are several of her friends. This issue is a worry for them as they are trying to work out a timeframe in terms of the lead-up to the examinations and they need to set it out as early as possible.