Written answers
Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Ukraine War
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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689. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will commit to her Department to engaging with all post-primary schools that are accommodating Ukrainian students with regard to the specification required in respect of Ukrainian as a non-curricular language being developed as an option by the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13071/23]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the operation, delivery and development of the State examinations. The SEC provides examinations in a range of subjects in the language area referred to as the non-curricular EU languages. These are languages which do not appear as part of the normal school curriculum but in which students may opt to be examined if they meet certain criteria. Chief among these conditions are the requirements that candidates for these examinations:
- Be from a member state of the European Union
- Speak the language in which they opt to be examined as a mother tongue
- Have followed a programme of study
- Be taking Leaving Certificate English
Another condition is that candidates may undertake examination in one non-curricular language subject only. The examination model is based on that of the First Foreign Language final written examination of the European Baccalaureate, and is offered at Higher Level only. There is no specification nor are there sample papers for non-curricular language subjects.
Ukrainian as a non-curricular language is being developed by the SEC, as an exceptional measure, following the normal arrangements for Non-Curricular EU Language examinations, with the aim that the first examination will be available for students sitting the Leaving Certificate in June 2025.
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