Written answers

Wednesday, 12 May 2021

Department of Education and Skills

State Examinations

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to ensure that there is a leaving certificate examination in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1472/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 17 February, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and students will also have the alternative option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision was taken to provide choice and clarity for students.

Putting in place both the examinations and a corresponding measure of SEC-Accredited Grades is essential to ensuring a fair system, having regard to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic and the loss of learning that has occurred for this group of students due to the interruption of in-person teaching and learning during the periods of school closure.

This decision followed intensive engagement with education stakeholders bilaterally and through the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations 2021 and ensures for every student a method to assess their learning and attainment at the end of their post-primary education and to progress to higher and further education, and the world of work.

Students have registered for the traditional examinations and/or to receive SEC-Accredited Grades on a subject-by-subject basis on the Candidate Self-Service Portal. In any subject where a student sits the examination and opts to receive Accredited Grades, they will be automatically credited with the better of the two results.

Those opting for the traditional examinations have completed orals and music practical examinations over Easter and the LCVP Link Module examination last weekend. Proficiency Assessments for candidates seeking an Accredited Grade in respect of non-curricular languages were also held last weekend. Leaving Certificate Applied oral examinations started on 3 May.

My Department and the State Examinations Commission has published a series of guides for both students and schools regarding the processes for the 2021 Leaving Certificate. This includes A Guide to State Examinations and Accredited Grades for Leaving Certificate 2021as well as detailed guides on the Accredited Grades processes for schools. These guides, and further information, are available on www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate.

On 25 March, I announced details of the additional supports that are being provided to schools to support the running of the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied Examinations and the Accredited Grades process.

Schools can appoint a Leaving Certificate Aide to support school management in the planning, preparations for and running of the examinations, and the work involved in the Accredited Grades process including work related to providing estimated marks for out of school learners and students studying subjects outside of school.

The measures are designed to support schools and ensure that essential work for Leaving Certificate 2021 can take place. The arrangements recognise that certain work is required to be carried out outside the normal time in which such work is undertaken.

Schools are able to appoint an Aide from within the school, to conduct the planning and organisation work associated with the oral examinations and to assist with the administration of the June examinations and the Accredited Grades process. The number of days available ranges from 50 to 60 days depending on the number of candidates in the school and the range of activities that are required to meet the needs of candidates in that school.

Full details of these arrangements have been advised to schools by the State Examinations Commission Circular 15/2021.

My Department is also supporting school leaders, teachers and other school personnel, tutors, parents and students through a dedicated phone-line and e-mail service for queries on the Accredited Grades process.

In the coming days, the SEC will be issuing further guidance for the conduct of the written examinations to schools that is in line with public health advice and which will ensure that the examinations can proceed safely.

The most current information on all matters relating to Leaving Certificate examinations and the Accredited Grades process will be available on an ongoing basis on gov.ie/LeavingCertificate.

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