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UNIONS HAVE CRITICISED the decision by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to hold the Leaving Certificate oral exams during the Easter break as placing “unecessary” stress on students.
The oral examinations were moved to the Easter holiday period for the last two academic years. These exams were previously held during school term time either before or after the Easter break.
The SEC has now confirmed that the oral exams will take place in the first week of the Easter holiday period from Saturday, 23 March to Thursday, 28 March inclusive.
“The holding of the oral examinations during the Easter holidays, instead of during term time, assists in minimising disruption to teaching and learning in schools and in particular for those candidates preparing for their examinations,” the Department of Education said.
The president of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI), Geraldine O’Brien, said the examinations being held over the Easter break will place “additional and unnecessary stress on students”.
“It is vital that students get a break at Easter as this is their last opportunity to do so before they embark on their final preparations for the Leaving Cert exams,” O’Brien said.
“This point has already been raised by the students’ representative body the ISSU, as well as by students’ teachers. It is extraordinary that despite this, and despite commitments given to the ASTI regarding an extensive evaluation and engagement with stakeholders, the State Exams Commission is forging ahead,” she said.
The Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) has said today that it is “extremely disappointed” at the SEC’s decision.
“Students are put under undue pressure by taking the orals during Easter. This cuts into a deserved holiday period in which both students and teachers need to rest,” the union said.
The SEC is currently carrying out a detailed evaluation of the timing of oral exams into the future. It has commissioned research to explore parent, student, teacher, examiner and school leadership opinions about the timing of these exams.
“The SEC considered it was best to provide certainty now to the system and to students in relation to the 2024 oral examinations, so it has confirmed that they will take place during the Easter Holidays for this year,” the Department said.
According to the Department, the SEC found in its preliminary evaluation that “there were some challenges with the holding of the oral exams during the Easter Holidays due to the fact that students did not have access to normal term-time school support structures, such as their teachers”.
“In response, schools are being given additional funding for the Leaving Certificate oral examinations in 2024 to appoint a teacher to provide pastoral support to candidates, and ensure their attendance for the exam during the Easter holidays,” it said.
The SEC is to begin recruitment of Leaving Cert oral examiners for 2024 next week. The Department of Education said the rate of remuneration for oral examiners will again include a premium for examining over the Easter holidays, similar to last year.
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Mrs Hickey had 10 cops at her room at 6am and because of that panicked. Due to this panic she told the police her husband had left the country. Something not quite right there,as if she knew he was guilty of something. Ah no, I’ve posted this in the wrong comment section.
In fairness most Irish women would probably say the same if 10 strapping Brazilian cops showed up to their door at six in the morning …. Just saying….
Those emails are not good news for our jailbird
Shed loads well dodgy here… Are we supposed to believe any of this. good luck where they are.. Different country over there. …… No one would jump from a balcony!
Natural selection at it’s best.
Rio police press conference going on where can we see it.
In other news, the sky is blue
Brilliant avatar. Love the Robin.
Well there’s a shocker.
The world certainly won’t be at a loss with less of these morons.
Their family and friends would disagree.
Friends wouldn’t let them do it!
I see they allow you access to the internet Mr Hickey…
Skinhead tattooed EDL / Britain First and Identity Ireland types,always ruining the holiday for everyone else.
At least these guys only take themselves out though… Unlike some eh Tariq.. *ahem* Nice , Sousse…..
Muslims don’t eat pork or drink alcohol gerard,you’re thinking of the artery-clogged,balding and fat-bellied native European who we are out-breeding due to our superior health.
in fairness Muslims are ruining France’s tourism. Beirut used to be known as the Paris of the middle east, now Paris is the Beriut of Europe.
@Tariq: Look up the healthiest countries in the world. The west kicks ass, regardless of all the fatties that hold us back. And the “superior health” of Muslims? Healthy lifestyles aren’t common in typical Islamic countries.
I’m so glad someone funded a study for this.
The studies on the demographics of violent crime in Spain are more interesting and useful. At least these Limeys don’t intend any harm.
But no Irish person threw themselves off a balcony. ?Saw a few in Ibiza and Benidorm….
Most people would happily jump off a balcony if they saw you approaching, Ger.
Simpletons injure themselves and sometimes die. It doesn’t need a study.
Natural f$$$ing selection at work again
“Balconing” aka “Brexit”
Shock lol
have your say