Minister for Education Joe McHugh has said students’ interests will be central to decisions on this year’s Leaving Cert exams.
No alternative decision has been reached on the state examinations following today’s key meeting between the Department of Education and Skills and stakeholders.
The meeting discussed the practicalities of holding Leaving Cert exams this July, as per government plans. Also on the agenda was “alternative assessment models”, including options to give students predictive grades if exams are cancelled due to public health advice.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister McHugh said: “I want to thank the members of the group for their ongoing engagement and support for the work on hand. Discussions here today will assist in making decisions regarding arrangements for the Leaving Certificate that have students’ best interests at heart and that are guided at all times by the public health advice.”
This is the sixth meeting between the Department of Education and stakeholders including representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the Department.
The group also received updates on the measures that have been put in place to support the wellbeing of students at this time.
The Higher Education Authority attends meetings in an observer capacity, to assist feeding back to consultations it is involved with across the third level sector.