Clarity needed now on Leaving Cert plans

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD
17 April 2020

Commenting on an Irish Times report that the Leaving Cert could run until early September, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has expressed his deep frustration at a lack of clarity coming from the Department of Education regarding the State Exam.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said:

“It is now one week since the Minister announced that the Leaving Cert would be postponed until later in the summer and we have still received no clear guidelines or clarification on this extremely important issue.

“The Minister has mentioned July and August as possible months for the exam to take place, but now there appears to be suggestions it’s going to run until September. Yesterday, the Taoiseach also stated in the Dáil that colleges may not open until November.

“There is no sense that anybody’s in charge of this department at this point.

“We’re getting deeply frustrated as political representatives who offered the hand of companionship and collegiality at the beginning of this crisis, and now feel as if we’re dealing with a Minister that isn’t in charge.

“We’ve seen the mishandling of the school meals, the mishandling of the SNAs, and now the mishandling of the Leaving Cert.

“Quite simply, students need answers.

“When is the Leaving Cert starting?

“When will it be corrected?

“When is the fee going to be abolished?

“And when will clarity be given?

“We’ve also raised issues regarding the number of subjects that will be examined and other mitigation matters that need to be addressed urgently.”

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