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SHAUNA BOWERS
The decision to return to an exam-only Leaving Cert is “very disappointing” and “does not put student voices at the centre”, the second level students’ union has said.
On Tuesday, Minister for Education Norma Foley announced that this year's Leaving Cert exams would not have the option for accredited grades and the Junior Cert would return for the first time since 2019.
However, she said the Leaving cert would be “tailor-made” in recognition of the challenges faced by students and will have more question options available and less material for students to cover.
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The move came despite repeated calls from students and the Opposition for another hybrid Leaving Cert, which includes written exams and accredited grades, on the basis that many students have experienced significant disruption to their studies due to the pandemic.
Emer Neville, president of the Irish Second Level Students' Union (ISSU), said there was a "clear mandate" from students that a hybrid approach was the best option.
“That mandate was not listened to. Last year, we saw such fantastic engagement from the department with young people, and students really were listened to,” she told The Irish Times.
“But it was made abundantly clear this year that this was different. That’s very disappointing and very frustrating for the students who are going to sit those exams.”
Ms Neville said a hybrid approach was preferred because students have been through three years of "heavily disrupted education".
“There are massive discrepancies that we’re seeing throughout student education the whole way across the country. Not every student had access to online tuition, not every student has access to grinds that they can catch up on the work that they’ve missed,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Children’s Rights Alliance said it was “concerned” by the news, adding that reverting to traditional exams is a “missed opportunity” for Leaving Cert reform.
Tanya Ward, chief executive of the alliance said, the decision "will effectively ignore the voices of many young people".
‘Easiest way out’
“ From a children’s rights perspective, this decision does not stand up to scrutiny. We need to do what is best for the young people sitting the exam and not take the easiest way out,” she said.
“We have the opportunity to make the changes necessary to avoid a stressful situation for our young people and to ensure that they reach their full potential in education.”
Meanwhile, the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) welcomed the certainty provided to students by Tuesday's announcement, adding that it provides the basis "for fair and equitable outcomes for all students".
The union said that recent speculation on whether the examinations would proceed as normal was “regrettable and avoidable”.
"The TUI has consistently made the point that in the absence of full Junior Certificate data for all students, there is simply no viable model for an alternative assessment mechanism that could guarantee fairness and equity for the class of 2022, irrespective of the postcode of their school," it said in a statement.
The TUI added that the additional modifications made to the State exams need to be “communicated in full” so students and teachers can make the most of the remainder of the school year.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), said the changes announced for this year’s exams will create a “level playing field” for students.
Eamon Dennehy, ASTI president, said the announcement gives certainty to students and increases choice in papers.
“Our 2022 Leaving Certificate students have come through extraordinary challenges and much uncertainty over the past two years,” he said.
“ It is essential that these students are provided with a Leaving Cert examination which is student-centred and responsive to the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic.”
He added: “Students and their teachers can now have the confidence that the exams will be fair and transparent and will take into account the unique circumstances of the Leaving Cert 2022 cohort.”
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) also welcomed the additional changes to this year’s exams.
Paul Crone, director of the NAPD, said student wellbeing is “fundamental” to the association’s core principles.
“This year’s Leaving Certificate students have suffered massive disruption to their education and have missed out on considerable learning opportunities due to the pandemic,” he said.
“We will continue to advocate on their behalf to ensure they are treated fairly and appropriately.