Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Students who get assistance during their leaving certificate examinations have that noted on their certificates. This matter has been raised with me by several such students. The assistance provided is there merely to help the students complete the exams, but they feel that noting the assistance on the certificates seems to imply they have not done the same examination, or that their certificates may seem to be worth less than those held by students who did not need assistance.

I know this is a matter for the State Examinations Commission but I would like to hear the Minister's view to see if the practice could be stopped. It is the students who provide the information in examinations. The students involved get only technical assistance, not information. Does the Minister feel this practice of noting assistance on the certificates could be stopped?

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