Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber, which is her Chamber also.

It has been a difficult and tumultuous time for the leaving certificate classes of 2020 and 2021, their parents, their teachers, the whole school community, the Department and the Minister. The word "unprecedented" has been bandied about a great deal over the past year, but the task faced by her office and the Department of Education must have seemed overwhelming at times. Our appreciation must go to all of those involved in the Department and the school community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we had a leaving certificate of sorts last year and that the class of 2021 will have every opportunity to show their best selves. We all want every leaving certificate student to have the opportunity to showcase the best of his or her abilities and talents in order to transition to the next period of life, be that in university, an apprenticeship or the workforce. Last year, human error added to the trials and tribulations of the accredited grades system, so it is important that students know that our systems have been tested, we have all learned lessons and we are now giving them an exam system they can trust.

This is an important Bill. Last year, we thought that no one could have it as hard as the leaving certificate class of 2020. We did not believe that, 12 months later, we would be looking at a similar situation. The current sixth years have experienced difficulties over the past 14 months. To their credit, they organised themselves in an incredible way. They became vocal and formed a strong advocacy group. The Minister listened to them and patiently took the time to engage with them, as did many other Senators and I. That engagement was very important.

I thank the Minister for the consultation process that she undertook with all education stakeholders - students primarily, but also with teachers, boards of management, principals, patrons and everyone else who was involved. Having that process was important, as was considering every nuance to be able to reach a stage whereby the Minister could offer the best opportunity to students. That is what is on offer in this Bill. Allowing students the opportunity to choose between the accredited grades system and the traditional leaving certificate is important.More important, they have the opportunity to do both. I know from talking to students who are sitting their leaving certificate this year, in particular my niece and her friends, that while their first choice was to go down the accredited grades route, with the encouragement of many, in particular the Minister who took a strong leadership role in this area, 80% are now opting to also take the written examination. Truly, they have the best opportunity. As emphasised by the Minister, the student will have the best result of both and so will have two chances to try to get it right. That is wonderful.

In terms of the Bill, we know that its main purpose is to confer on the State Examinations Commission the necessary powers to run a non-examination based form of assessment to inform the student's results for the leaving certificate. This was signalled by the Government decision on 17 February. This could not be done last year because as the Seanad was not in place it could not go through that process. As I said, that students have the option of applying for accredited grades or sitting the leaving certificate examination, or both, is significant. That students have an additional choice within their examinations is also important. We all know the stress that comes with leaving certificate examinations in normal times. There is additional stress this year. We are all concerned about the impact on young people's mental health, in particular those sitting State examinations. This provision goes a long way towards alleviating that stress for them.

The statutory indemnity for teachers is also important, as is the section dealing with canvassing. I acknowledge the proposed engagement with education planners. One of the important factors in this Bill is that it ensures there will be no rank order data. Two issues arose last year. The ranking led to issues with some of the schools that would traditionally have had higher grades. The release of the rank order also caused a difficulty for teachers. I am glad that that point of concern is being addressed. I am glad also that the schools' historical data, once again, is being excluded. A clear process has been put in place to facilitate students studying outside of school settings. That is important. The Minister has engaged Educational Testing Service to develop and deliver the standardisation process. I welcome that she proposes to point a second quality assurance contractor.

I take this opportunity to wish all of our students well. Before we know it, the examinations will commence. As pointed out by the Minister, some are starting tomorrow. It is a difficult time. Following on from this debate, we need to look at how we can best prepare our students for life and how we develop their critical thinking and resilience. I look forward to the Citizens' Assembly discussion, which will happen across the country, on how we look at the future of education and how we can best equip our students going forward.