Dáil debates

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Educational Reform

10:15 pm

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Having worked for many years in the classroom, I appreciate that exam time and most notably, leaving certificate exam time, can be a stressful time for students. Of course, the pandemic has added to the additional challenges faced by all in the school sector. The decisions taken by Government on leaving certificate 2021, in the context of the impact on teaching and learning of the Covid-19 pandemic, were taken with the best interests of students in mind.

The NCCA's advisory report on the senior cycle review has been submitted to me for consideration and will be published once that consideration is complete. Those considerations are being progressed with the best interests of students in mind.

The advisory report maps out, in broad terms, an ambitious programme of work, which would enable the development and construction of the components that would make up a framework for senior cycle and will involve further ongoing stakeholder engagement and consultation. The voices of students have contributed to the advisory report and will again be heard in those further engagements and consultations.

With regard to the 2022 examinations the Deputy referenced, adjusted assessment arrangements for students taking leaving certificate examinations next year were issued last August in advance of the school year beginning. These arrangements are designed to take account of the disrupted learning experience of students during the Covid-19 pandemic, by incorporating adjustments in a manner similar to the initial adjustments that were made for the students taking examinations in 2021.

Like departmental officials, I am keenly aware of the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on our education system over the past two years, including its impact on students who were due to take their leaving certificate examinations in those years. I expect that the lessons to be learned from the pandemic will be considered and, where appropriate, will assist in informing the redevelopment of senior cycle and reducing undue stress going forward.

I am conscious the Deputy referenced the 2022 exam and for that reason, I highlight the measures currently in place have been agreed by the advisory group and are being made available to schools.

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