John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an advisory group was not set up to consult with the stakeholders and develop a plan for all contingencies in relation to the leaving certificate 2020 before making the announcement that the exams would proceed. [7733/20]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his officials were instructed to develop contingency plans in the event of the leaving certificate exams not proceeding; and if so, the reason the contingency plan was not shared with the stakeholders until 6 May 2020 and only discussed in detail on 7 May 2020. [7734/20]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he and his officials did not engage with the stakeholders earlier in planning for the document A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020 in view of the current date and the fact that schools are still awaiting advice, clarifications, CPD and a detailed document from his Department. [7736/20]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the stakeholders, parents, students, management bodies and teacher unions were not consulted on the design of the calculated grades system and on possible alternatives. [7739/20]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 210, 212 and 215 together.

Consultation with all of those involved – students, teachers, school managers and others – has been central to my decision making about Leaving Certificate 2020. As part of planning for the State examinations, I established an advisory group of stakeholders, including representatives of students, parents, teachers, the management and leadership of schools, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the State Examinations Commission, and officials of my Department, including the National Educational Psychological Service. A representative of the Higher Education Authority also attends all meetings of the Advisory Group as an observer. This group has provided very useful feedback and assistance regarding the decision-making about the examinations. I wish to acknowledge the positive engagement with unions, management bodies, the further education and training and higher education sectors on all of the issues involved.

The Advisory Group met for the first time in mid-April and has held a series of meetings to date and will continue to meet. Meeting documentation and agreed minutes of meetings are published on my Department’s website.

The detailed guidance to teachers and principals on the implementation of calculated grades that was published on 21 May was developed by my Department in conjunction with the members of the Advisory Group, school management bodies and teacher unions.