Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

One of the key recommendations by the expert group on the certificate exams which reported in 1989 with regard to reasonable accommodations was that it should be noted on certificates or results if an element or elements of an examination have been omitted, or the method of examining has been altered in a substantial way. The idea was to strike a correct balance between ensuring that candidates with special needs were given every opportunity to demonstrate their levels of attainment and ensuring that no candidate was given an unfair advantage over other candidates in the same examination.

Nowhere on the results or the certificate does it say a result was arrived at as a result of a disability or of a particular disability. The idea was to ensure that any special arrangements would not put the integrity, status or reputation of the exam at risk. Provision is made for the students involved but it is ensured that the special arrangements allow the candidate to show his or her achievement and ability. They are not designed to compensate for any lack of achievement. The point is also to ensure that all candidates are treated equally when the certificates are issued.

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