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The Minister of Continuing and Higher Education has said that it is “beyond useless for someone to withdraw” from the Leaving Certificate exam talks this year.
Simon Harris said that in his opinion, students had made the most sense when they said clarity is needed.
He said there is still room for resolution and that people need to “go into a room and fix this and stay in a room until it’s fixed.”
Mr. Harris spoke at the launch of an additional education program for Pandemic Unemployment Pay recipients working in the hospitality industry.
He expressed disappointment at ASTI’s decision to walk away from the talks.
He said Education Minister Norma Foley had done her best to find a way forward that served students well.
ASTI withdrew from the talks in protest at what it said was prioritizing a calculated grade type assessment over taking exams.
Union officials will meet with Minister Foley this afternoon, but said it should not be seen as an agreement to start formal talks.
ASTI said the meeting will be held in the context of discussing its decision to abandon the talks yesterday.
The Minister of State responsible for skills and higher education, Niall Collins, said he was surprised by the decision of the ASTI.
He said “ASTI has not been asked to give up their mid-term vacation, they have not been asked to reduce their Easter vacation, they have not been asked to send the Certificate of Exit until July.
“What we are trying to achieve is what the students have asked for, which is a choice and I think we all have to come together.”
Earlier, a union representing second-level students said that uncertainty surrounding exams is causing “stress, anxiety and worry to skyrocket among students.”
The Irish Union of Second Level Students (ISSU) said it is “shocked and disappointed” by ASTI’s announcement.
“It’s adding fear to a high-pressure situation, and delivering clarity to students has been further delayed due to this breakdown in conversations.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, ISSU President Reuban Murray said that students have already been through a “horrendous year” and that all stakeholders must come together and take responsibility in trying to find a solution.
He said the union has been bringing pragmatic solutions to ASTI’s concerns and it is disheartening to see they have pulled out of the talks.
He said students want a choice like last year between calculated grades or being allowed to take tests.
Labor Education spokesman Aodhán Ó Ríordáin called on the union to “come back to the table” and stay in the talks despite difficulties in finding a solution.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he criticized the failure of the Government and Minister Foley in failing to conduct an independent review last October of last year’s Bachelor’s Certificate.
He said his party favors a grading system calculated for all students, with the option of taking exams later.
Ó Ríordáin said the reopening of schools can only occur in consultation with teachers, as they have worked under difficult circumstances since September to keep education going.
TUI committed to the conversation process
Teachers Union of Ireland President Martin Marjoram said he remains committed to the exam discussion process and can positively influence the direction of this year’s Leaving Certificate.
Speaking about the same program, Mr. Marjoram said that it is important that the knowledge and experience of the teachers inform the process and that the best way to do this is to participate very actively in the talks.
He said what is needed is a certain outcome for the students and “we understand the urgency of that and the pressure and tension on the students.”
Marjoram said he believes a conclusion will be reached in time.
He said the public health council states that “we should be able to hold onto a written test … and hopefully other elements of assessment.”
However, he said that despite good advice that written exams can go ahead, given the time available, the TUI favors having a contingency plan and not being complacent with the virus as another outbreak could disrupt exams.
He said the place and priority of that alternative is part of the discussions and they are trying to come up with an integrity process that allows students to have faith in it.
The principal of St Patrick’s Classical School in Navan, Co Meath, said teachers were “badly burned” by the grading system calculated last year and “they are not going to buy that system again.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Colm O’Rourke said he saw “no reason” why a traditional exit certification exam could not take place in late June.
He said, “If tertiary institutions have to push back their application dates, so be it. Everyone has to take a hit.”
‘Everything is flying at the moment’
Certification student Aaron Murray said he is “disappointed” by ASTI’s withdrawal from the talks.
He said that “we are not going anywhere” but that he continues to study the best he can, as it is “the only thing I can control.”
Aaron told Today with Claire Byrne that he would like to take an “amended” completion exam, but that students should have the option of taking the exam or receiving calculated grades.
He also said that he would like the opportunity to take mock exams as “he has not taken a proper exam since junior certificate.”
Shauna Barry said she has already submitted applications to the UCAS system, which requires teachers to submit grades provided by her.
“We are continually getting tests in class and doing projects. It’s not fair to dismiss expected grades.”
He said he would like a “hybrid” of tests and calculated grades, but most of all, he said, he wants certainty.
“Everything is flying right now.”
Additional reporting Karen Creed, Tommy Meskill
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