Calls have been made in Clare for planning to get underway now, to ensure that this year’s Leaving Cert reflects the difficulties faced by students this year.
Leaving Cert students will resume online classes from next week, after the Government has rowed back on a decision to have them, and students with special needs, in schools next week.
Talks are due to continue today between teachers unions and the Department of Education, but no decision has yet been made on whether the state exam will go ahead or in what form if it does proceed, as Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports.
Leaving Cert students won’t be asked to go into school next week after last night’s major government U-turn.
The announcement came after the TUI and ASTI unions told their members not to co-operate with the proposals.
NPHET advised that the full re-opening of schools would be a “significant risk” and wasn’t consulted on the plans.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator believes it would have been very difficult to achieve agreement with all stakeholders when arriving at a decision on the matter.
Timmy Dooley says now isn’t the time for pointing fingers.
Clare’s ASTI Standing Committee Representative accepts this decision isn’t ideal, and that remote learning is no substitute for in-person teaching.
Geraldine O’Brien, who teaches at St Joseph’s Community College in Kilkee says there’s no doubt the Leaving Cert class of 2021 are more disadvantaged than last year’s cohort, as they’re now missing time in two consecutive school years.
Much of the focus is now shifting to the Leaving Cert itself, with some fearing that the exam may not be able to progress as normal this summer, given the amount of time that has been missed by students.
The Labour Party is calling for a final decision on the exams this month, but the government says there’s no rush.
Clare Branch Chair of the TUI and teacher at St Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil, Kate Hehir wants the exams to go ahead.
A number of Leaving Cert students have welcomed the change of approach by government.
Gaelcholaiste an Chláir student Jake O’Loughlin says moves should be made now to put a system of predictive grades in place
While his classmate Cian Costello believes a decision needs to be made soon, to allow students time to prepare for whatever Leaving Cert may be in store.
