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Teachers should not be pressured by parents about their children’s grades and legislation may be required to prevent them from doing so, a TD said.
The government decided to cancel the Leaving Certificate exams that were due to start on July 29.
Instead, students will now be offered the option of accepting their teacher-calculated grades or presenting the Certificate of Exit at a later date when the pandemic eases.
However, those who choose to take the exam will not be eligible for college next September.
TUI to commit to calculated grades, but the system must be fair and equitable and the professional integrity of teachers must be protected https://t.co/dtypRp6vaa pic.twitter.com/lLlR8gCt3Z
– Ire Teachers Union. (@TUIunion) May 9, 2020
Education spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil says legislation is needed to protect teachers from pressure from parents of Leaving Cert students.
Tests have been canceled and replaced by calculated grades, which will be estimated by teachers.
However, students will have the option to take a written exam at a later date.
Rep. Thomas Byrne says he is concerned that some parents have contacted teachers in recent days to emphasize how hard their son has been working.
He says, “The legislation should really be there to protect teachers. I think there is absolutely no reason for teachers to do it and they should feel no obligation to take those phone calls.
“But clearly it is also the case that parents should not make those phone calls and put pressure. I think they need to trust the teachers who know their children.”
My call to cancel #CERT leaving always relied on public health advice. Today, the Secretary General of the Department confirmed to me that there is “compelling evidence based on medical advice that the Certificate of Departure cannot continue as planned.”
– Thomas Byrne TD – Meath East (@ThomasByrneTD) May 8, 2020
Education spokesman for the Labor Party, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, asked the education minister, Joe McHugh, to publish the health and legal advice on the cancellation of the Certificate of Exit.
Mr. O Riordain said: “There are several pending legal problems with the government’s decision on the Certificate of Exit. Under our current laws, the minister is required to conduct a state examination of high school students, it remains unclear whether the expected / calculated grade will meet that requirement.
“Students should be sure that their Leaving Cert 2020 results will be in exactly the same state as in previous years.”
Additional reports from the Press Association
“This is totally new”: Fianna Fáil says teacher unions should have time to decide on expected qualifications
One of the country’s largest teacher unions has endorsed the calculated grading system for the Leaving Cert, but wants clarity on some issues.
The Irish Teachers Union says they will work on the proposal and meet with the Department of Education to make sure it is fair to every student.
Meanwhile, ASTI will continue to meet today to discuss the plans.
Fianna Fail education spokesperson Thomas Byrne says unions should have time.
He says: “Unprecedented and it would go against the grain for teachers to correct their own students’ work in terms of their own ethics of how they do their work.
“This is brand new, we are in a pandemic. I know teachers have already taken up the challenge of online learning when the state has not provided a national online learning platform for schools.”
Previously: Ireland Teachers Union seeks clarification on predicted ratings, but will “get involved”
The Irish Teachers Union decided to commit to the calculated grading system, which will replace this year’s Certificate of Exit.
Written exams have been canceled this summer and students will earn a calculated grade, estimated by their teacher.
TUI and ASTI met separately last night and the Association of Secondary Teachers says their meeting was suspended and will continue today.
Irish Teachers Union President Seamus Lahart says they will seek clarification on issues related to the calculated grades.
He says: “We believe that the 61,000 students who would be ready to do the Certificate of Exit this year need some means of progression.
“However, we have many questions to ask and engage with the Department and the State Examination Commission in the coming week.
“But we will work with this medium to allow students to progress to future careers.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Joe McHugh admitted that the state may be opening itself up to legal action by students and parents over the decision made to predict their grades to prevent students from having to sit for their exams.
Concerns have also been raised, as the grades decided by a student’s teacher and principal will not be verified again in the appeals process, the Department of Education confirmed.
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