Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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399. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will look to remove the question on “short story” Junior Cycle Higher Level English paper (details supplied) from the marking scheme entirely and have the marks divided up into the other questions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32006/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to provide more clarity on the syllabus provided to English teachers for Junior Cycle exams; if there are plans to remove teachers freedom to choose specific examples of topics to cover, for example a short story; and if she plans to review the marking scheme for this year’s Junior Cycle exam. [32407/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 434 together.

As part of the ongoing process of Junior Cycle reform, a revised Junior Cycle English specification has been examined for all candidates since 2017. Assessment for certification in the State examinations is based on the aims, objectives and learning outcomes of the specification.

The Junior Cycle English specification, as published by the NCCA, includes guidelines for teachers on the choice of texts which should be studied by students in first year, as well as those to be studied in second and third year. The specification includes short stories among the texts which must be studied by students in both first and second/third year. In the case of novels, films and dramas to be studied for examination, teachers choose from those on the prescribed lists as set out in the circular. In the case of poetry, short stories, and non-literary texts, teachers have the freedom to choose specific examples.

My Department then issues a list of the prescribed materials for the second and third years of Junior Cycle English. Details of the prescribed material for those sitting their examinations this year issued to schools in Department of Education circular 0014/2022. This circular reinforces the specification, stating “Second and Third Year students MUST study texts as described” and includes “A number of short stories ” in the list of texts.

It is the role of the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to provide examinations and assessments in line with the subject specifications developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). I am advised by the SEC that examination papers and draft marking schemes are developed through a rigorous development process to meet the requirements of the relevant specification and standards of assessment. The examination paper development process involves a multi-stage process of drafting and setting, and various layers of scrutiny. Those involved are experts in the subject who are also experienced teachers.

In 2025, a total of 73,881 candidates registered to sit the 2025 Junior Cycle English examinations; 60,380 at Higher Level and 13,501 at Ordinary Level. Question 7 in this year’s Junior Cycle Higher Level examination asked candidates to respond to a question about any short story they had studied. The question was worth 15 marks from a total of 180 marks for the examination. I have been assured by the SEC that this year’s examination, including Question 7, was fully within the scope of the specification and in keeping with the aims, objectives and learning outcomes for Junior Cycle English.

I can further advise that all commentary and correspondence received by the SEC on the examinations from students, parents, teachers, professional bodies, and other interested parties is a normal part of the examinations process. Such observations regarding test instruments are an intrinsic part of the feedback that the SEC would expect to receive in any year, and it advises that all observations received in relation to a subject are reviewed by the SEC’s Chief Examiner in the context of preparing the marking scheme for that subject. The approach taken by the SEC to the development of marking schemes ensures consistency in the marking and fairness to all candidates. The marking scheme will be published by the SEC, as will the marking schemes in all other subjects, after the issue of the Junior Cycle results.