Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I put it to the Deputy and to the wider teaching community that the decision taken to abolish the examination - I welcome the support for it from across the House - was a big step, just as the abolition of the primary certificate in 1968 was a big step. No one would suggest that in 2013 we should go back and introduce a written State examination for 12 year olds in primary school. That was the norm and, sadly, it was the final State examination for far too many people. We do not want young people to leave school at 15 years. They do not need a State examination. The need moderation and they need to be measured in respect of the progress they are making an education, but not necessarily by a State examination. That said, we understand the sensitivities and this is why, for a period, as the process is bedded in, the State Examinations Commission will set the examination and mark it in the three critical areas, that is, English, mathematics and Irish. Over time, that will evolve.

The first cohort starting English will enter first year next September. It will sit an examination in 2017 after the next general election. Over time, up to 2020, the process will be rolled out. As we travel that journey together we will make the changes that are necessary on the basis of evidence and the constructive engagement that we are getting all the time from the teaching community.

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