Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a reduction in the curriculum for incoming sixth years and changing the leaving certificate examinations in 2021 has been investigated to reflect the disruption to learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19336/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On Monday of this week, 27 July, I announced a roadmap for reopening our schools fully at the start of the upcoming school year. This roadmap includes a wide range of information and guidance for schools including public health advice, COVID-19 response plans for schools as well as curriculum and assessment changes.

Notwithstanding the best efforts of teachers and schools to engage students during the period of school closure, my Department recognises that curriculum considerations for 2020/21 school year at both primary/special school and post-primary level need to take account of the variable learning experiences of pupils/students during the period of school closure, the likely gaps in learning, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or with special educational needs, and the practical context in which teaching and learning will be taking place in the new school year.

The publication of the roadmap earlier this week was accompanied by a series of guidance documents for schools, including guidance on learning and school programmes for post-primary school leaders and teachers.

This guidance outlines adjustments to assessment arrangements to take account of the general loss of learning opportunity for those students who are due to sit the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations in 2021. The changes will be broadly proportionate and may vary, taking into account specific context, across modules, subjects and programmes. They will involve some combination of:

-Greater choice for students in written examinations;

- Bringing forward the dates for the issue of coursework briefs;

- Adjustments to the requirements for practical examinations in some subjects.

Further details on changes being made to examinations at subject-level will be published shortly.

My Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by students at this difficult time, and how the current circumstances will continue to present challenges into the future. The welfare of students is, and will continue to be, front and centre in all decision making.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the planned reform of the leaving certificate will be accelerated in view of the changes which are necessary to the conventional curriculum and examination system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17961/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In late 2016, the Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) commenced an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, to include Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established.

As part of the first phase of the review the NCCA conducted international research on senior cycle in a number of other jurisdictions.

Over the school year 2018/2019, a representative sample of 41 schools were directly involved in the initial consultation cycles of the review. The first of two consultation cycles focused on the purpose of senior cycle and futures thinking, with the second consultation cycle focusing on pathways and flexibility.

The NCCA then commenced a public consultation which invited individuals and organisations to provide feedback on the areas for development emerging from the review to date. This phase of consultation was informed by two NCCA documents, an Interim report of review of Senior Cycle Education and accompanying Senior Cycle Review Consultation Document. The phase of consultation concluded in November 2019.

Work on the Review of Senior Cycle has continued throughout 2020 and is nearing completion. The NCCA is completing an Advisory Report on the review, setting out areas of work and plans to be pursued in the future development of senior cycle education.

The timing for the approval and publication of the Advisory Report is currently under review, in light of the impact which the emergence of COVID-19 and the measures aimed at addressing the spread of the virus have had on schools and on the education system more generally. Developments during this period have highlighted aspects of senior cycle education that may warrant further consideration and additional attention within the Advisory Report. Changes on the scale envisaged this year, which have come about as a result of the exceptional circumstances prevailing as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, will be of particular interest to this work. However, it should be noted that the circumstances pertaining this year, and the arrangements in place for the provision of Calculated Grades to students, are exceptional and it is understood that they will not be regarded as a precedent or as agreement by teachers, principals or schools to carry out such tasks in future years.