Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Junior Certificate examinations will not go ahead this year, Department confirms

Minister for Education Norma Foley briefed teaching unions on the plans this afternoon.

LAST UPDATE | 17 Feb 2021

THE JUNIOR CERTIFICATE examinations will not go ahead this year, it has been confirmed. 

The announcement was made in a statement released by the Department of Education this evening. 

Schools are to be provided with guidance on continuing to engage this year’s Junior Certificate students in online learning and assessment while schools remain closed and through in-person learning when schools reopen. 

It has also been confirmed that Leaving Cert students are to be given the option not to sit exams and instead apply for a calculated grade accredited by the State Examinations Commission.

Minister for Education Norma Foley briefed teaching unions on the plans this afternoon after outlining the proposals at a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on Education.  

This evening’s announcement comes after intense discussions followed the decision of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) to pull out of talks on the Leaving Cert last week. 

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, the TUI’s Martin Marjoram said the union had come to a decision that the Junior Cert couldn’t run. 

“We have come to a decision we don’t like coming to but on balance the Junior Certificate examination cannot this year,” he said. “It’s a decision we have made with regret but we have called for.”

Marjoram said that it had been previously the case to run both sets of exams at the same time, but that extra space would be needed to accommodate students sitting the Leaving Cert this year. 

In a statement last night, the TUI said that an early decision on the Junior Cert would ensure appropriate alternative assessment was put in place for those students while alleviating avoidable stress for students. 

The union said: “This decision would also prevent excessive workload and pressure for teachers and school management who are currently trying to ensure that Leaving Certificate students complete their SEC second components of assessments – for example, orals, project work, coursework – while also engaging in emergency remote teaching and learning for all other student cohorts.”

Marjoram said this morning that a system of alternative assessment of Junior Cert students in school would be welcome. 

“It’ll allow those students to move on to pick Leaving Cert subjects and move onto the next stage,” he said.

With reporting by Sean Murray

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
48 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donie Keyes
    Favourite Donie Keyes
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:50 PM

    Now this is the duo for the Eurovision instead of Nicky nobody! Raw natural talent can’t be beaten! Well done lads.

    256
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Lynch
    Favourite Owen Lynch
    Report
    Mar 6th 2016, 9:34 AM

    These lads can chant .

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Mar 6th 2016, 5:58 PM

    don’t kill their careers before they even start

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Darcy
    Favourite James Darcy
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:06 PM

    Good man Glen and Co! Brother Ben would be proud!…

    125
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louise Ní Riain
    Favourite Louise Ní Riain
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:10 PM

    Brilliant

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oran Joyce
    Favourite Oran Joyce
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:09 PM

    Whenever I see a singer with his hands in his pockets I just know he’s going to be ace.

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chantelle Hughes
    Favourite Chantelle Hughes
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:19 PM

    Just, wow!! Gave me chills.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Farrell
    Favourite Andrew Farrell
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:15 PM

    Heard these lads a couple of years ago, absolutely brilliant, these are international stars, they would sell worldwide, keep it up lads, big things expected

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mondoburley
    Favourite Mondoburley
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:00 PM

    AdeadlyAdelemAdeley

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O Neill
    Favourite John O Neill
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 3:59 PM

    Adele better watch out

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute REA North*s
    Favourite REA North*s
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:09 PM

    Stunning !

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Barrett
    Favourite Eddie Barrett
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:18 PM

    Fabulous voices

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Williams
    Favourite Charles Williams
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:31 PM

    Very good and very different.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denis Silver
    Favourite Denis Silver
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 11:39 PM

    She brought them up on stage today and got them sing the medley …result standing ovation and even more respect for Adele

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john dunne
    Favourite john dunne
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:18 PM

    Genius

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Lynch
    Favourite Kevin Lynch
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:04 PM

    beautiful

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Fitzmaurice
    Favourite Mark Fitzmaurice
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:23 PM

    Fair play lads. Gorgeous

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Has-an
    Favourite Has-an
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:12 PM

    What a voice.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute moe
    Favourite moe
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 7:08 PM

    That was class lads . Fair play to yeh .

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christopher murray
    Favourite Christopher murray
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 8:29 PM

    They have some covers on YouTube under the name trillogy too. Well worth a look

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Has-an
    Favourite Has-an
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 6:13 PM

    What a voice!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Luco
    Favourite Stephen Luco
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 7:59 PM

    Very Good

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Del Haven
    Favourite Del Haven
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 4:34 PM

    Ronan is very good but Glenn’s where the money’s at.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:31 PM

    Ronan is a fabulous composer, Glen’s voice is pure velvet

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cníchi
    Favourite cníchi
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 10:39 PM

    Lovely harmonies

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine O'Connor
    Favourite Catherine O'Connor
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 8:58 PM

    WOW!!!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scott Kincaid
    Favourite Scott Kincaid
    Report
    Mar 6th 2016, 9:59 AM

    I just keep seeing James Corden.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute D'Murph
    Favourite D'Murph
    Report
    Mar 6th 2016, 10:15 AM

    Exceptional… We should send these two to the Eurovision.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:14 PM

    The guys in the high kings group would wipe the floor with them. They are very good though.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Lane
    Favourite Dermot Lane
    Report
    Mar 5th 2016, 5:23 PM

    High Kings = plastic paddies

    62
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds