Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, who is here on behalf of the Minister for Education. I will share time with Senator Carrigy.

There is much concern and anxiety among parents and leaving certificate students, especially given the number of absences due to Covid-19 infection or close-contact status. It has been a big issue over recent months, particularly because of the Omicron variant, for both teachers and students alike. Meetings were held last week, on 20 January, with the advisory group on planning for State examinations for leaving certificate 2022 and further bilateral meetings with stakeholder groups are being held into this week. It is now 25 January, and clear guidance is required for parents, students and teaching staff. When will there be a decision on leaving certificate 2022?

An increase of more than fivefold in CAO maximum point scores has been reported over recent years and there is significant pressure on college places. There is a disparity between standard exams and accredited grades and this is putting courses out of reach for students as points increase. A lottery system faces students. What supports are in place for this year’s cohort of students, who more than most have been impacted since March 2020 when they were in their junior certificate year? They may not yet have completed any State exams.

Students and parent advisory groups have reached out regarding this stress and anxiety. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has brought forward changes to the CAO form, which now includes both further and higher education options and apprenticeship places, increasing young people’s options to reach their career of choice. There are also a further 6,000 places, intended to reduce pressure on the points system over the next two years. What are we going to do this year? We are reaching capacity in higher education.

Leaving certificate reform is well overdue and we need it now. When will the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA’s, final advisory report on senior cycle reform be published? Continuous assessment options apply only to 60% of subject choices but they should apply to all of them. Like my party colleague Senator Carrigy, I have received reports that the National Parents Council, which is represented on the advisory group for post-primary, does not represent all parents. He will develop this point.