Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Am empty exam hall in Dublin. (File) Laura Hutton/Rollingnews.ie

Leaving Cert plans could be revealed as early as tomorrow as various options being explored

Schools have remained closed since the Christmas break.

LAST UPDATE | 1 Feb 2021

THE CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE on Education will meet later this afternoon discuss the options being considered for this year’s Junior and Leaving Certificates. 

Tomorrow will see the full Cabinet discuss the proposals with the Advisory Group tasked with plotting a course for the examinations also set to meet tomorrow, with Minister Simon Coveney stating some clarity could be brought to the situation then.  

Today’s Cabinet sub-committee is set to begin its meeting at 4pm. 

Among the options for the Leaving Cert include holding the exams in the traditional manner or repeating last year’s calculated grades system. A hybrid model of the two has also been suggested. 

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “we may have news this week” but that officials want to ensure the proposals are watertight before there is an announcement. 

“We do need to bring clarity to that, I accept there’s a lot of stress and anxiety out there but what is more important is that, when an announcement is made, that the ‘I’s are dotted he ‘T’s are crossed in terms of the proposals that the minister will be coming forward with,” he said. 

The Taoiseach noted that the students due to the Leaving Cert this year missed almost three months of in-class teaching last year and have already missed a month this year.

Asked in those circumstances where it was fair to ask them to sit a full Leaving Cert examination, Martin said it is a “very important consideration”.

“We’ve heard the students voices very loudly in that respect and it cannot be obviously ignored. But there are different views from the wider student body and teachers generally in relation to this. But what is clear is we do need to bring clarity to reduce anxiety for students and their families,” he said.

Speaking in The Irish Examiner today, Martin said there are “quite a number of options” in relation to how the Leaving Cert proceeds and that “the precise options” are still being finalised. 

“What’s key to the written exam is class time and class engagement between the teacher and the students. We have to take that reality into account and that’s exactly what’s being discussed now between the Minister and the union and students as well,” he said.

The government’s Advisory Group on planning for state examinations 2021 incudes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the Department of Education. 

The group has been meeting regularly to discuss the impact of ongoing school closures and the scope and form for examinations to take place.

The ASTI’s general secretary Kieran Christie said today that his union is of the view that the Leaving Cert should go ahead “insofar as is possible”.  

“We’re consistent in our message that we believe that the Leaving Cert insofar as possible is their preferred option from an ASTI point of viewto go ahead,” he told RTÉ’s News at One.

“Once you stray away from the traditional examination it becomes very tricky indeed. Last year’s process of calculating grades for instance, we’re not convinced that that’s a system that could operate properly at all this year. And we’re not convinced for instance that it would reduce the stress and anxiety within the school community. It may even do the opposite.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
58 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Daly
    Favourite Emer Daly
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:13 AM

    Certainly March of many weather’s. Take care all.

    166
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cosmological
    Favourite Cosmological
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:25 AM

    @Emer Daly: Well done, makes a change from all the moaning about the Journal keeping us informed about weather conditions.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Football in the Groin
    Favourite Football in the Groin
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:41 AM

    @Cosmological: It sure does. Just waiting for the inevitable, absolutely hilarious mention of bread now. Because that didn’t get old within seconds of it becoming a thing /s.

    67
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pádraig Ó Braonáin
    Favourite Pádraig Ó Braonáin
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:41 AM

    @Emer Daly: March comes in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb…..I hope that old saying is still true……I have my seed potatoes already in the ground.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patabake Kennedy
    Favourite Patabake Kennedy
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 12:44 PM

    @Football in the Groin: All of a sudden I’m starving for a sandwich.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 1:46 PM

    @Football in the Groin: You only buy bread when it snows! Do you not know anything?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Josh Hanners
    Favourite Josh Hanners
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:40 AM

    March, in like a lion, out like a lamb.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Irish Genius
    Favourite Irish Genius
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 2:36 PM

    Still my RED

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute liam ward60
    Favourite liam ward60
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 10:52 AM

    Dont care staying in me jammies @ home loads to entertain me add free telly stacked up.god but retirement I’d highly recommended

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shellakybooky
    Favourite shellakybooky
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 7:49 PM

    @liam ward60: Hon Liam

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute WoodlandBard
    Favourite WoodlandBard
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 11:37 AM

    Saving my complaining for the next Journal post.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian McGrath
    Favourite Ian McGrath
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 1:06 PM

    Is it too hard, unlike the boarder, to show the north as well. ?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ed w
    Favourite ed w
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 1:20 PM

    @Ian McGrath: I’m afraid they don’t have weather up there . if in donegal we want to avoid the weather we just drive to the grey area with green card in hand.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noodles
    Favourite Noodles
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 4:10 PM

    Crank it up to a Red and give us the day off. G’wan Met Eireann be sound.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gareth Miskelly
    Favourite Gareth Miskelly
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 5:19 PM

    So is it Gareth or Garreth? It varies in the story…it’s a great name though…

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick paisley
    Favourite Mick paisley
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 12:51 PM

    But what about the homeless?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ted hagan
    Favourite ted hagan
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 4:05 PM

    Things look a bit grim in Northern Ireland.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Brogan
    Favourite Brian Brogan
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 12:55 PM

    Strange, other meterological sites are measuring current gusts within the storm at over 160kmph, putting it currently in the red category.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Bojangles
    Favourite Mr Bojangles
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 1:06 PM

    @Brian Brogan: That means we get sent home from work, right? Bring on the red!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
    Favourite Gisbert Bayertz
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 2:45 PM

    @Brian Brogan: it’s probably because it’s out at sea, the gusts are always stronger over the sea

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute yoser hughes
    Favourite yoser hughes
    Report
    Mar 11th 2019, 9:33 PM

    Leinster is getting pummeled at the moment. A wind warning worth mentioning and heeding.

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds