Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the monitoring and analysis she is undertaking to examine the quality of education leaving certificate 2020 students are receiving; and if it has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. [40075/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the reopening of schools has been one of the top priorities for Government. This was motivated by a desire to deliver the best education for students. Schools and their staff have been working tirelessly to deliver this education under challenging circumstances.

My Department’s Inspectorate has been supporting and advising on the work of schools since they reopened in September. Support for the quality of teaching and learning for all students, including Leaving Certificate students, has been a key focus of Inspectorate-led online advisory sessions with post-primary principals.

Since September, the Inspectorate has engaged with 83% of post-primary schools (609 schools) to support them in a range of areas including the mediation of the curriculum, given Covid-19.

Those sessions with schools have provided valuable information. The predominant feedback from principals is that schools are operating safely and that teachers have successfully adapted their teaching approaches in the current context. A report on these advisory sessions will be published shortly.

In addition, I am acutely aware of the importance of capturing the perspectives of students, teachers and parents. In that regard, the Inspectorate has carried out a series of surveys. Those surveys focused on matters such as how teaching and students’ learning are progressing, wellbeing and the safe operation of schools. 2263 students in post-primary schools responded, including 282 Leaving Certificate students. The survey responses are currently being analysed.

The Inspectorate has also been involved in providing assurances that schools are implementing my Department’s COVID-19 response plan, through conducting a series of visits to schools which are focused on their safe operation. Implementing the plan is essential to ensure that schools are safe learning environments for all students.