The Leaving Certificate will see major changes under plans announced by the Minister for Education this afternoon.
Written exams will be worth no more than 60% of a student's final grade, while students entering Senior Cycle in September 2023 will sit Paper One in English and Irish at the end of fifth year, instead of at the end of sixth year.
Two new subjects - 'Drama, Film and Theatre Studies’ and ‘Climate Action and Sustainable Development’ - are to be introduced.
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The plan promises an initial plan of new and revised subjects becoming available in September of 2024, to a small number of students entering fifth year in ‘network’ schools.
There will be updated assessment models in the optional subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Business.
It is intended that into the future oral examinations and the music practical performance will take place during the first week of the Easter break of 6th year as is the case this year.
A new qualification will be introduced at level one and two on the National Qualification framework to provide an appropriate level of assessment to some students with special educational needs, building on the equivalent programme at Junior Cycle level.
A revised Transition Year programme will be established, and greater access to Transition Year for all students will be encouraged.
The Government say that a "detailed implementation plan will be developed through ongoing collaboration and co-creation and consultation with education partners, including teachers, students, school leaders and parents."
Minister Norma Foley said: "Today I am setting out a new plan for Senior Cycle education in Ireland.
"This is an ambitious programme of reform. It will enrich students’ educational experience by increasing their choices to match their interests and enhancing teaching and learning.
"It will reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on examinations. We will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment, over a less concentrated time period, in line with international best practice.
"The second half of post-primary education, Senior Cycle, prepares our students to progress to the next stage in their lives. Whether they choose a path of further training, apprenticeship, higher education or employment, it is vital that the education and the opportunities they receive in their school life at second level develops them academically, nurtures them as people and supports them to grow their talents, interests and skills.
“I look forward to working closely with our students, school communities, education partners, to co-create subject curricula and to collaborate across the work to bring this vision of enhanced experience, excellence and equity alive for all of our students.”
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