Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I am delighted she is here. I also welcome the Bill and her personal interest in education.

Having been removed from politics for the past year but having still heard from people who had issues with the leaving certificate last year, I am delighted that a review is being carried out and the Minister is bringing forward legislation to put everything in place for the benefit of students. I pay tribute to teachers and students, not only last year's students but also those who are facing into the leaving certificate this year under very difficult circumstances.

Most of the issues I wanted to raise have been mentioned. Reference was made to grade inflation but a number of schools felt there was also grade deflation. I know some students believed that was the case when they looked at the assessments they had done for several years while going through the system. They were getting A or B grades but were knocked back maybe five or ten points. Some students were highly aggrieved by this and felt they had nowhere to go to appeal the decision. Perhaps the Minister could take that into account. I pay tribute to the Minister for putting everything together under very difficult circumstances last year but this matter needs to be examined. Students deserve to be able to appeal and have their voices heard.

This is an opportune time to review the leaving certificate. I spoke to a student with quite bad dyslexia, who is very intelligent in many ways but finds it difficult to do written exams and finds them an ordeal. The student is delighted to be able to opt for predicted grades in some subjects and the written exam in others because this person finds some subjects a little easier than others. This is an opportune time to examine that going forward. It is time to prioritise reform. I acknowledge the Minister's personal interest in that regard.

It would be nice to have the opinions of the students. I know the Minister has done some work on that and has spoken to the teaching unions. Perhaps this issue could be looked at. Many schools now have student councils through which they could survey students on their views. It is important that their voices be heard.

I welcome the Bill. Once it has been enhanced, I would like it to become the permanent template for moving forward.