Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on plans for senior cycle reform, in particular the practical steps that she has taken since previous Minister's Questions on 27 February 2025; the date on which sample papers will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16935/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to continuing the programme of reform of Senior Cycle to ensure that students benefit from up-to-date curricula, more diverse skills development and assessments so that they are properly equipped to succeed in this changing world.

Accordingly, an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education has been progressing at pace. Some key elements of delivery have taken place since the Deputy’s previous question.

The approach to Senior Cycle Redevelopment is about collaboration and engagement with our partners in education to deliver for students. Since my last update in February, I met with both second-level teacher unions and will meet with them again before their upcoming conferences. My officials have had six bilateral meetings with the unions on Senior Cycle Redevelopment since the start of the year.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) conducted consultation on the Background Papers for the Tranche 3 subjects, which concluded on 28 February. Consultation is ongoing on the draft revised specifications for Accounting, Geography, Physical Education, and the LCVP Link Modules until 25 April, and for Construction Studies, Engineering, and English until 5 May.

The State Examinations Commission will this week publish four sample examination papers (two per level) for each of the Tranche 1 subjects. The structure and format of the sample papers includes the mark allocations for each question. This is intended to support teachers in preparing students for their examinations in 2027.

Oide has planned and opened enrolment for a series of professional learning live interactive webinars for teachers of Tranche 1 subjects, to take place over a two-week period following publication of the sample papers, from 28 April to 9 May.

Professional Learning Experiences (PLE Day 2) for the senior cycle sciences continued throughout March in education centres around the country for teachers of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. This day was designed to introduce the specification, engage with familiar and unfamiliar content through the lens of inquiry learning and the unifying strand, and to support planning in senior cycle sciences for the coming years Oide has already delivered professional learning directly relevant to Senior Cycle Redevelopment to well over 26,000 school leaders and teachers this school year. Further Tranche 1 specific professional learning will also be provided in the first term of the new school year.

A circular outlining the prescribed material for the Leaving Certificate examinations 2027 will also issue this week, including materials for the new Latin and Ancient Greek specifications.

There is real momentum in the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme across all of its different areas and I look continued progress being made in its delivery for the benefit of all students including the approximately 73,000 students we expect to see commence fifth year this coming September.