A growing number of Clare’s government representatives are casting doubt on whether the Leaving Cert will be able to proceed this summer.
As public health experts say it’s looking increasing increasingly likely that schools won’t be able to retun in February, Senators Timmy Dooley and Martin Conway are both calling for a move to Plan B, and predicted grades.
Schools are closed until at least January 31st and Government Ministers have repeatedly said they want schools to remain shut for the shortest time possible.
But the persistantly high COVID numbers mean it’s now looking increasingly likely that students won’t be able to return to the classroom at the start of next month.
Public Health Expert, Professor Gabriel Scally doesn’t think schools can open at all in February.
The Minister for Education says she still intends for the Leaving Cert exams to go ahead in June.
But at their parliamentary party meeting, Clare’s Fianna Fáil members of the Oireachtas were among those who disagreed.
The Irish Examiner reports that Deputy Cathal Crowe called for a blended approach to the exams, while Senator Timmy Dooley thinks the only realistic option now is to plan for the use of predicted grades once more.
Clare’s Fine Gael Senator wants to see a decision made on the Leaving Cert within weeks.
Martin Conway says it would be incredibly unfair on students to have to sit an exam after having no face time with teachers for a large portion of both this year and last.
Despite the politicians’ concerns, the ASTI teachers union has today stated that it wants the Leaving Cert to go ahead, and that it thinks this is still possible.
