Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In my opening remarks, I set out the objectives and principles underpinning this Bill. Its core function is to help students from the leaving certificate class of 2021 to complete their schooling and to progress to the next chapter of their lives. This progression and transition is one of the recognised milestones in so many students' lives, going back many years. It is one of the traditions for so many students.

This Bill, when enacted, will confer new or additional powers on the SEC, the body which has managed and operated the State examinations for almost 20 years in a very professional way. The SEC enjoys the confidence of all the actors in the education system in that regard but, most importantly, through this legislation, the students of leaving certificate 2021 will be treated in a very similar fashion to their predecessors. The leaving certificate that this year's students will receive will have the same look and feel to it as any other year. This is true too for the class of 2020, whose certificates will issue from the SEC, also by virtue of this Bill. The Bill, in conferring those additional powers on the SEC, allows me as Minister to ensure that we can bring some normality to the lives of students in these most unusual and, on occasion, challenging of times.

Just as the country is now looking forward to reopening and returning to so much that we have had to pause since spring 2020, so too the students of the leaving certificate class of 2021 can look forward. Deputies, through their contributions, showed their concern and interest in the education of this year's sixth-year students. We have a shared objective in wanting the best for all students, even if at times we might differ on how exactly to achieve that. I know there are different views, or perhaps views that seek to place an emphasis on different elements of the various processes which we have put in place. This debate has ensured that the points of concern to Deputies have been heard. I will reflect on all that has been presented here this afternoon, but it is important to indicate that much that was discussed here by Deputies, which I accept was in very good faith, was very much outside the remit of the Bill.

The Bill refers to the accredited grades process for leaving certificate 2021. That is all that it refers to, and not to senior cycle reform and other such matters. On that point - it was a thread through the debate this afternoon, as Deputies are aware - I acknowledge that the senior cycle is under review and the advisory report is due imminently. In fairness, that will be a catalyst to affording us an opportunity to examine the senior cycle programme. It will involve engagement from all of the partners in education and from the widest possible remit of those who have an interest in the education sector. I look forward to the views of Deputies also on how we plan and move forward with the senior cycle.

Everyone concerned with leaving certificate 2021, starting with me, my colleagues in government, the officials in my Department and the SEC, including the partners in education, are committed to ensuring that we deliver for the class of 2021. We committed to delivering a choice. We aimed to improve on the experience of calculated grades in 2020. We will also be considering how we can ensure that next year's leaving certificate class is treated fairly. I believe the Bill will deliver on the choice for students announced by the Government between accredited grades, examinations, or a combination of both. It will deliver a fair reflection of the students' educational attainment at post-primary level and it will deliver their passport to travel to the next stage of their lives.

It has been a very challenging year for the country and its people and, given our focus today, for the leaving certificate class of 2021. Since the first Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in March of last year, we have seen enormous resilience shown right throughout society. We have seen great solidarity being shown and we have seen solutions and supports delivered, particularly for students, through school communities across the country. The leaving certificate class of 2021 deserve our support and this Bill is a part of ensuring that we continue to deliver for the class of 2021. For these reasons and with the support of Members, I commend the Bill to the House.

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