Talks to continue on 2021 Leaving Cert By Alison O Reilly Talks are set to continue this week on whether the traditional Leaving Cert exams can go ahead this year.
Education Minister Norma Foley met with an exams advisory group on Friday and heard from students, parents, teachers and school managers.
The Irish Second-Level Students Union have called for students to be given a choice between calculated grades or sitting the exams.
Union President, Ruben Murray says a call also needs to be made on practical and oral exams soon.
Education Minister Norma Foley wants health authorities and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to prioritise teachers and school staff to be vaccinated earlier than scheduled, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
Most Leaving Cert students want choice between calculated grades or sitting exams Some 20,000 responses to survey conducted by Irish Second Level Students’ Union
Wed, Jan 20, 2021, 19:19
Most secondary school students want a choice between receiving calculated grades or sitting the Leaving Cert exams this year, according to a survey.
The next most popular option was calculated grades with ongoing assessment (25 per cent).
The current plan to hold the Leaving Cert exams in June attracted 4 per cent support as a first preference.
ISSU president Reuban Murray said the results showed that students want clarity and it was time for the Department of Education to “learn from the mistakes and delays of last year”.
Pressure is growing on Education Minster Norma Foley to consider an alternative to the traditional Leaving Cert.
Several TDs raised the issue with the minister in the Dáil yesterday, with some supporting a return to calculated grades or a “hybrid model”, and all seeking an early decision on the fate of the exams.
A survey by more than 20,000 members of the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU) is expected to show an appetite for change from normal arrangements.
The findings are due to be released over the weekend but ISSU president Reuban Murray last night gave a clear indication of the mood .