Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is an uncomfortable sense of déjà vuin this debate. We had these conversations last year and those conversations have taken place repeatedly across households the length and breadth of the country. When we finally got to the hybrid model last year, those who campaigned for it and those who at times pleaded for it were glad that it was put in place. I ask the Minister to do the same again this year. We are now in early 2022 and we are weeks away from mock exams. However, we are still stuck in a similar vortex of confusion and a lack of clarity, as much in this House as those students, teachers, parents and other interested parties outside this House are. There have been several opportunities to reassure and to provide that clarity, but the Government has failed to do so. It is imperative that it is provided as soon as possible.

Earlier the Minister said, " A further meeting of the advisory group will be held and I am working towards a decision on the State examinations in 2022 being made as soon as is reasonably practicable." She does not say when, which is simply not good enough. This decision needs to be made as a matter of urgency. As one student put it to me today, the Minister needs to stop trying to convince them that black is white. We know the senior cycle is a two-year cycle and most pupils have been negatively impacted by Covid. That may have been students, themselves, being unwell or being a close contact and having to restrict their movements and unable to go to school. That was after schools had actually reopened. A considerable amount of in-person teaching time has been missed. It is critical that the Government listens to our students and their representative body which held a poll showing that two out of three of students want a hybrid model again this year. The precedent has been set. The structures are there, but we are hearing excuses. Our leaving certificate students deserve so much better than that.

See this speech in context