Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be clear that 2022 is the first year that all the new subject specifications for junior cycle will be assessed by the SEC. Those specifications provide for a very flexible and wide-realm approach in respect of questions and options being made available to students. A number of significant adjustments have been made. I know from my own experience that the requirement that a number of CBAs take place for a subject is quite a time constraint within the classroom. Those have, therefore, been cut by 50%. The assessment task, another task that is time demanding within the classroom and the experience of what can be provided from a teaching and learning point of view, has been done away with this year. These are very significant and progressive steps forward. Other amendments have been made. For example, adjustments have been made to the requirements for practicals and coursework in particular subjects, such as music, home economics, art and technologies. It is important to recognise that there have been adjustments and changes to provide greater flexibility for junior cycle students.

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