Schools could return in a few weeks under the government’s new plan

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Sixth-year students could return to classrooms in just over a week if a new government plan is approved.

If the plan goes ahead, it is understood that those who earn the certificate of completion will be offered a choice of calculated grades, written exams, or both in June.

And the measure, to be discussed in Cabinet on Tuesday, could send state test takers back into the classroom on February 22.

But the teachers unions have yet to back the government’s latest proposal, which could prove to be a major headache.



Students in Ireland taking the Leaving Certificate exams (stock)

Other students and elementary schools would return in early March, the Sunday Independent reports.

A memorandum from the Department of Education delivered to the Government will set out plans to give students a choice between exams and calculated grades.

It is understood that the vast majority of students wanted the option.

The news comes after ASTI returned to dialogue with the government on Saturday.

The union dropped out of discussions on Thursday, in a move that was criticized as “beyond useless” by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.

But after meeting with Education Minister Norma Foley on Friday, the group agreed to come back to the table.



Education Minister Norma Foley arrives for a Leaving Cert exam scoring press conference in Dublin. (Photo credit: Department of Education / PA Wire)

An ASTI spokeswoman said: “In subsequent engagements with the Minister of Education and her officials, ASTI expressed concern about doubts that had been raised regarding the staging of additional component elements of the Leaving Certificate exams of this year (courses, orals, practical exams, etc.) and the consequent descent of the Bachelor’s Certificate to the background.

The minister was unequivocal in her declaration of commitment to possess the Bachelor’s Certificate this year.

“On that basis, ASTI believes that doubts regarding the staging of additional component elements of this year’s Certificate of Completion Exams have been substantially alleviated. We hope that the Minister will ensure that they are carried out.

“The ASTI also raised the problem of the lack of data available in many schools to base and inform the parallel / corresponding measure that the Minister is trying to implement together with the Bachelor Certificate.

“The Minister is committed to working with stakeholders to strengthen the position in this regard.”



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