Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the previous speaker's comments on Traveller mental health. There is a very interesting public discourse taking place on Molesworth Street. I have experience of this issue from my time in local government and I fully support it. By the way, I did not see any poster.

I raise with the Leader the leaving and junior certificate examinations because we are now in the exam season. I hope the plans made by the State Examinations Commission, SEC, will bear fruit because regardless of how much of the evaluation process is done in-school, a major part of the examinations will always be a written test to be evaluated by external examiners. In recent years, the problem that has arisen, one which the pandemic covered over, has been a consistent shortage of qualified teachers taking up offers of employment as examination markers or correctors, whatever the term is. It is easy to see why. This is extremely difficult work. I speak from experience. Markers have to put in very long hours at the height of the summer holidays when they should be with their family. In my time the remuneration was appalling but I am glad it has improved significantly, in some cases by 30% or 40%, although it is, of course, taxed.

I am making an appeal today because there is intrinsic value to both schools and teachers in having teachers involved in the marking system. It brings a wisdom and an understanding, which is of huge advantage to the teacher in his or her work and the pupils who will get an extra or inside sense of what it is about. Many students do not give a good account of themselves in written examinations for many reasons. Teachers who have gone through the system and have marked papers can bring back to their schools that extra sense that can give their pupils an edge. I am calling for teachers and schools to take up the challenge. Marking examination papers may not be hugely satisfying financially but it is a very rewarding experience overall.