Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to be clear that the reason the hybrid model or accredited grades aspect is not being implemented this year is that when a teacher provides an estimated mark, he or she does so because he or she knows his or her student.

He or she does not know the student in another class whom the teacher has not taught. It is important that there is comparability between the students in a national examination. To achieve that comparability, as I have outlined earlier, we relied upon the junior cycle data belonging to the class of that year group. One in four of the class of 2022 does not have those data. Therefore, we were not in a position to provide the accredited grades in as fair a manner as was provided to the students last year. That is the honest reason as to what has transpired.

I want to be clear that I am committed to senior cycle reform. I am conscious that we need to find a mechanism that can assess the various talents, abilities and skill sets of our students in the widest possible manner. That needs to be incorporated into senior cycle, as indeed does the maximum potential for students going forward to choose whatever pathway they might wish to choose. I am completely committed to it.

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