Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I also welcome the opportunity to speak on this topic as the Bill is presented today. Months ago, when it became obvious that the leaving certificate would not be able to proceed in its usual format in 2021 and there was much debate on what should be done, I called for a choice to be given to the students between estimated grades and sitting the examinations. I am pleased that the Government is proposing such a system and is taking the steps as part of the implementation process.

The reason I called for the choice is that Covid-19 will affect different students in different ways. We must remember that the current group of sixth year students are a great deal more disadvantaged by Covid-19 because for them, both fifth year and sixth year have been disrupted. I am aware that that message has resounded here in the Dáil today. Some students will have adapted well to the challenges of online teaching and learning. The feedback that I have received supports the view that teachers, students and parents went to great efforts to make the online learning process as successful as possible. All did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances.

Schools made extra supports available by lending ICT equipment, by posting it out to people where necessary and by providing constant support. We must, however, take account of those students who were significantly inconvenienced by the closure of schools and the move to online learning. We perhaps take for granted the importance of the school routine and the structure of the day. For some students, school provides a refuge from difficulties at home and an outlet for peer relationships and support. The in-person interactions in the classroom on a daily basis are almost impossible to replicate in a virtual setting. Some students rely heavily upon being able to ask questions and on having something personally explained if they are having difficulties. Others with special educational needs get wonderful support in school. I am aware that schools have gone to great lengths to support these students during school closures but, as I said, nothing can replicate the school environment for that type of educational support.

Lack of reliable Internet connections may also have made the online learning experience quite difficult for some. It was with all of these concerns in mind that I called for students to be given the choice.

Another area of the Bill I wish to touch on concerns the appeals process. Every year, we read or hear stories about a student or students who have been discommoded by the appeals process. This usually involves a student taking an appeal and winning it, but being unable to get a place on his or her desired course as a result of the length of time the appeals process has taken. The Bill refers to an appeals process but it does not give a timeline as to how long that process will take or whether it will be ensured that the process is completed prior to CAO offers being made. The Minister and the officials involved should design the appeals process to ensure that those who successfully appeal a grade will be able to get a place on the course they would have been offered had it not been for the mistakes relating to the initial grades.

Estimated grades have the potential to cause grade inflation. The last leaving certificate completed in the usual way was in 2019. Some CAO applicants sat their leaving certificate examinations in 2019 and are looking for CAO places in 2021. They will have to compete with the grade inflation and may find that accredited grades have caused the points for their chosen course to rise. I ask the Minister and her colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, to work together to ensure that specific places are made available for deferred applicants from 2019 or earlier who could, in normal circumstances, have reached the required points level.

On a personal level, I did not get my leaving certificate in the usual way. For all the anxiety Covid has caused, there is hope. Being able to do or pass one's leaving certificate examinations or whatever it entails is not the be all and end all. I was 35 when I did my leaving certificate examinations, but I went on and completed a degree, finishing it at the age of 40, so there is always hope. If I can achieve election to be one of 160 Deputies, anybody can get there.

I thank the Minister for her proactive approach in the Department. She has worked very hard and has fit into the role very well. This Bill is the measure of what we have learned from Covid.

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