Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has discussed the arrangements for the forthcoming leaving certificate with the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2751/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022. My Department has been working closely with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to put in place a number of measures to seek to take account of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

 My Department will continue to engage with all partners in education on all matters relating to Leaving Certificate 2022 examinations. A meeting of the Advisory Group on State Examinations is planned for later this week. The group includes representatives of students, parents, teachers and school leaders, as well as representatives from the State Examinations Commission, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Higher Education and my Department. The group is co-chaired by my Department and the SEC.

Adjustments to the assessment arrangements for the 2022 state examinations that were announced in August 2021 were designed to take account both of the disruption to learning experienced by students in the early part of 2021, as well as providing for some possible further disruption in 2021/22. The adjustments ensure that the overall structure of the examinations remains intact but allows for greater choice for students.

Revised arrangements for Leaving Certificate Oral Examinations in Irish and the Modern Foreign Languages and the practical performance tests in Leaving Certificate Music were announced last month. These examinations will take place outside of school time over the first week of the school Easter holidays. By moving these examinations to the Easter holidays, the State Examinations Commission  aims to minimise disruption to teaching and learning, especially for those candidates preparing for their examinations, as this change will limit teacher absence from schools.

The State Examinations Commission recently provided some further information to schools regarding aspects of the 2022 state examinations in light of the disruption caused by Covid-19. This included postponing commencement of assessment of the Leaving Certificate Applied February Tasks, from 31 January to 14 February. Schools were also reminded of the flexibility which is available regarding the dates for completion and authentication of Coursework for Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle candidates.

An alternative set of Leaving Certificate examinations will be run in 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the main set of examinations, for students who are unable to sit the main set of examinations for various reasons, including Covid-19 illness, bereavement or serious illness.      

As has been the case for the 2020 and 2021 state examinations, all planning for the 2022 Examinations will be guided by the prevailing public health advice and will have regard for the wellbeing of our students.