Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This has been an extremely difficult and stressful time for students, parents, grandparents, teachers and all involved in education. The general secretary of the TUI has stated the preference of all teachers is to return to face-to-face teaching and learning, but there is an understandable anxiety in the school community, particularly with regard to possible new strains of the virus.

Concerns have been raised over the fact that some special needs students will not be returning for almost another six weeks. Parents of children with special educational needs have been in touch with all of our offices to express their grave dissatisfaction at the lack of opportunity or even clarity being given to them by the Department of Education. I ask the Minister to clarify the situation for special needs students as the Department's repeated assertions to the contrary are not addressing the concerns of parents and their children. Does the Minister think it is right that students with additional needs in first or second year will potentially have to wait until 12 April, almost six weeks from now, before they can get back into the classroom? If the Department prevents students with special needs from attending school for another number of weeks, what immediate schooling supports can be put in place in advance?

Leaving certificate data will not include the use of the historical performance of schools data, the issue which caused most controversy in 2020. The data on the junior cycle performance of the leaving certificate class of 2021 is likely to be used, but will the Minister explain how we can be certain this method will work effectively? To avoid awarding the same percentage marks to two students, they may include up to two decimal places, but this could be very troublesome. Like last year, teachers are asked to provide evidence of student attainment, including limited assessment up to 14 May and to use their professional judgment in awarding estimated marks. Will the Minister outline the level of additional supports and training that will be provided to teachers for this purpose? The report I have read refers to the fact that any efforts by parents or others to influence teachers marks will be treated very seriously and this will be covered by forthcoming legislation. Will the Minister elaborate on this point? The guidance document appears to advise schools against holding the formal sixth year parent-teacher meetings between 1 March and 28 March. I also ask the Minister to deal seriously with the bus driver issue.

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