A decision on how this year’s Leaving Certificate will be delivered will come in the “next short while”, the Taoiseach has said.
He also acknowledged how “challenging” it’s been for the class of 2022 amid the uncertainty.
Micheal Martin gave an update on how this year’s Leaving Certificate will play out for sixth-year students across the country.
A hybrid model was used last year, which saw students choosing what exams they wanted to sit and receive a predicted grade for those they didn’t, and then having those ‘standardised’ by the Department of Education.
The Taoiseach said, however, that this is not without its own problems.
“The hybrid model does present challenges,” he told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One today.
“My understanding is a third of this year’s cohort would not have Junior Certificate results so the whole data issue is problematic, to say the least.”
He also acknowledged that we are not in a “level five” lockdown, like we were for the first few months of last year.
Aside from Covid disrupting exams or even education, other issues have arisen as a result of moving from the traditional model.
The Taoiseach said: “There's also the grade inflation. We have squeezed third-level for additional places.
“The capacity to do that this year is more challenging and therefore the grade inflation, at the other end of this journey, has caused very severe stress and impact on students.”
Minister for Education Norma Foley is meeting with students, parents and teachers today to discuss the best option for this year’s assessment. Representatives from the State Examinations Commission and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment will also be present to discuss what the best plan of action would be.
"We'll get a decision in the next short while,” Micheál Martin said.
NPHET is also expected to meet this afternoon to discuss the easing of restrictions, with a number of Ministers hinting at the lifting of measures such as the 8pm curfew in pubs by next week.
