[ad_1]
The prospect of the Leaving Certificate exams moving forward as normal remains a “lively and viable” prospect, according to the general secretary of one of the nation’s high school teacher unions.
Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week program, Kieran Christie, ASTI Secretary General, said they listen to student concerns and stress and are shared by all teachers across the country.
“We would favor the ordinary Leaving Cert, as far as possible, with possibly some adaptations, it would go ahead,” he said.
Mr. Christie said that one option being considered is “a kind of recognition” that it is still a viable and alive prospect that a Leaving Cert can move forward.
He also said they are in a worse position for calculating grades than last year due to the data available to do so.
There should be clear thinking and careful consideration of all options regarding state tests, he said.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said she cannot say whether the government will make a decision on the abandonment certificate this week.
Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, McEntee said that Covid-19 does not always allow the government to give certainty, but said a plan is being implemented.
However, he said it’s not just about state testing in the summer, but also trying to get students, particularly the most vulnerable, back into classrooms.
Latest coronavirus stories
Justice minister @HMcEntee speaking on Leaving Cert says he cannot give an answer if the decision will be made this week. A plan has been put in place and a great deal of work is being done. #rtetwip pic.twitter.com/5P1yKx4rYv
– Politics week (@rtetwip) January 24, 2021
On the other hand, Christie said ASTI wants a series of assurances on mitigation to be implemented before the schools reopen.
He said the main concern is that the virus in circulation before Christmas is no longer the dominant one, so all of that needs to be evaluated.
“What we want to make sure is that the experts evaluate, for example, if the social distancing that worked before Christmas would work in the context of the new strain. If the level of use of masks would be sufficient with what they make us believe that it is a greater transmissibility of the new variant “.
Christie said it’s about building trust and getting back-to-school safety guarantees.
He also said vaccines are important and that education workers are currently number 11 on the list, which should be examined.
[ad_2]