Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

I did not realise I was restricted to questions. I carried out some research before coming to the Chamber. It is now 12 months since the OECD PISA report was published. It was a shocking indictment of our system. The Minister was surprised although he was in a different role at the time. For the first time it called into question our literacy standards. There have been warning signs about numeracy but for the first time literacy was affected. Then we took note of it. Last year, we slipped from fifth to 17th in the figures. It is important to reform the junior certificate and this would represent one small step forward.

There appears to be evidence of grade inflation in the junior certificate. How does this tie in with international standards which appear to show a decline in Irish standards? It is important to take note of international standards because we are a part of an international community. We were proud of our education system and we display and promote it internationally. I am keen to hear whether the Minister has any insight into this matter. There appears to be evidence of grade inflation because more students have been getting A grades but this does not tie in with the OECD figures.

Another question, to which Senator Healy Eames referred, relates to the 20% of students that the current junior certificate does not suit. I imagine the reforms will suit this 20% of students because of short-term classes and so on. However, we should not throw out the other 75% and we should not throw out everything with the bathwater. We need an examination and we need students to be tested. This much is important and it is important to have a junior certificate and to test children because they will be adults shortly afterwards and they need the confidence to step up to the plate.