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The Department of Education has confirmed that officials are examining “complex” issues related to contingency plans for Leaving Cert.
However, he says he is still planning for the exams to continue on July 29, subject to public health advice.
Education Minister Joe McHugh will attend a test advisory group meeting on Wednesday to review where the department is in “all scenarios related to Leaving Cert,” a department spokesman said.
The department has declined to comment further, but educational sources have said the option of awarding grades to students in the absence of exams will be discussed.
The spokesperson reiterated the department’s position that it is planning exams to continue in late July, with a more detailed announcement regarding planning for exams due next month.
“The Minister has also made it clear that he wants to see students get at least two weeks of class time, at school, before the Leaving Certificate exams begin. That should also be based on health advice, “said the spokesman.
“Meanwhile, work continues on contingency planning around issues related to the Certificate of Departure. This detailed work is ongoing and a number of complex issues are being considered. ”
A stakeholder advisory group has met twice a week to discuss Leaving Cert related issues in recent times. Exam planning is still under discussion, including this group, the spokesperson added.
‘Plan B’
The Irish Times reported Monday that work was progressing on a “plan B” if a decision was made that exams could not proceed.
Meanwhile, a group representing parents of high school students has asked for information on “clear alternative options” to make them available to students and parents.
The National Parent Council after Primary did not indicate whether tests should be continued or replaced with an alternative, such as predicted grades.
However, he said there is an increasing and unacceptable level of stress and pressure on Leaving Cert students and their families.
She asked Mr. McHugh to urgently present options and offer clarity on Leaving Cert, including deadlines and a completion date.
The council said it was disappointed that there was no reference to Leaving Cert exams in the government’s roadmap to ease restrictions last Friday.
In the absence of being able to confirm that testing will take place, the council said parents are looking for alternative plans “that take into account other potential scenarios and that will offer alternative routes to complete and a definitive completion date for students.”
He said the disparity of facilities and support for Leaving Cert students across the country is clear and that a solution “cannot and will not offer justice and equity to all students.”
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