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A combination of a written Leaving Cert exam and calculated scores are the “preferred choice” for sixth-year students this year, said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
r Martin said he would like to “give students a choice,” but said there is a clear will to go back to something like written tests.
Foreign Minister Coveney has said that there may be a decision on what will be offered to Leaving Cert students as early as today, as Education Minister Norma Foley will bring a number of options to be discussed at the cabinet education subcommittee this afternoon.
Minister Foley will bring the results of this subcommittee meeting to cabinet tomorrow, when the government is likely to approve a decision on the exam or the calculated scoring formats.
Mr. Coveney said the government has “learned lessons from the past year” and knows they need to give students as much time as possible to prepare for tests, “or some alternative to that.”
“We are eager to make these decisions earlier this year to address the stress levels in people’s homes linked to exams and the future prospects of college going students,” he said on RTÉ Radio this morning.
The hybrid model of exams and calculated grades as well as the use of calculated grades are possibilities as intense conversations continue among all those interested in education.
Mr. Martin told the Irish Examiner that: “Some students want the grading process that we did last year.
“Some don’t want to take an exam, others do. Hybrid model is one approach, calculated scores is another.
“However, if you are closing that option to go back to the classroom, that puts pressure on the ability to take the written test.”
Children with additional needs who attend special education schools are likely to be the first to return to classrooms later this month, followed by elementary school students.
The Irish Independent reported today that discussions about alternative options for Leaving Cert 2021 are rising one notch later today at a meeting involving Education Minister Norma Foley, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other senior Cabinet colleagues.
The Minister of Education will establish the range of scenarios that educational partners are exploring, including student representatives, teachers, principals, school administrators and the State Examinations Commission.
All options are on the table, but today’s meeting of the Cabinet Education Committee will give a reading of the political temperature and sharpen the focus on options to follow.
Speaking about easing restrictions and launching the vaccine, Martin said he would be “very cautious” in reopening sectors of the economy and admitted that he will take a very cautious approach to reopening when closure measures are reconsidered. March 5.
“My feeling is that if we are launching a vaccine, there is no point in taking risks,” he said.
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