Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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686. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if post-leaving certificate students prohibited from undertaking practical exams due to Covid-19 restrictions are to be graded under a predicted grade system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20399/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the COVID 19 emergency, the Further Education and Training (FET) sector has demonstrated a swift and appropriate response.  In their short-term contingency planning, providers have made provision for the current cohort of learners engaged in their programmes and who are nearing completion of their awards, with adjusted teaching strategies and alternative assessments supporting learners remotely. 

However, due to the vocational and practical nature of some FET programmes, including PLC programmes, it has not been possible to create alternative assessments for all learners which could be undertaken remotely. Education and Training Boards (ETBs), having carried out risk assessments in consultation with relevant awarding bodies, have therefore confirmed the deferral of these until safe to do so in line with government advice and protocols. Programmes leading to such awards cannot be completed without suitable practice placement and therefore predicted grades are not a consideration in these circumstances.

Cases also still remain for programmes where alternative assessment approaches cannot be created without compromising the integrity of the award standard or where access to specialist equipment for the learner to complete assessments is necessary.  ETB institutions have communicated with these learners on the individual approaches being undertaken to enable them progress.