Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he hopes the changes in the second level programme whereby the junior certificate is replaced by ongoing assessment is most likely to be of benefit to the students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43367/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I published A Framework for Junior Cycle on 4 October 2012. This document contains details of my plans to reform the junior cycle in post-primary schools. One element of the plan relates to assessment. We know that under the current system in third year, the Junior Certificate examination dominates the experiences of students; the focus of learning narrows, the emphasis is on rote learning and for many students, the examination does not lead to positive learning experiences and outcomes. The reality is that the Junior Certificate is no longer a high stakes examination. That is why I believe it no longer serves the eduational needs of every young person.

It is also the case that current assessment practice at the end of junior cycle (or lower secondary education) in Ireland is out of line with best practice in many countries with high-performing educational systems. It is my intention that the terminal Junior Certificate Examinations will be replaced with a school-based model of assessment where the emphasis will be on the quality of students' learning experiences and outcomes. This replacement will happen, taking a phased approach, with English being the first subject to be introduced to First Year students in 2014. Short courses will also be available. The new Junior Cycle will include on-going classroom assessment for learning where high quality feedback will be provided to students and their parents during the junior cycle. It will also include a school work component for all subjects reflective of students' work over the course of the final two years for the purposes of certification. All the evidence indicates that this will give students a better learning experience and outcomes at Junior Cycle.