This morning.
Dublin Castle. Dublin 2.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan speaking to media before attending a meeting of the Cabinet.
Meanwhile…
Minister for Education Norma Foley will bring proposals to the Cabinet on this year’s Leaving Certificate, which recommend against providing a hybrid exam option.
It is being proposed that Leaving Cert students will sit a written exam, which includes additional elements of choice.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan described the proposals for a written Leaving Certificate as “fairer option” for students.
Speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting, he said that accredited grades would not be possible this year.
Asked about Sinn Féin’s description of the proposal as “desperate“, Mr Ryan said that the alternative would have necessitated school profiling, an approach, he said, which would have been a desperate solution.
Cabinet to hear proposals against Leaving Cert hybrid exam (RTE)
Update:
Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Gary Gannon said:
“This year’s Leaving Cert students have suffered two years of upheaval and chaos because of covid. There have been lengthy school closures and persistent absences, of both students and teachers, due to illness caused by covid and the requirement to self-isolate. We must also acknowledge the incredible stress, and anxiety, that students have been under as a consequence of covid.
“This year is not a normal year, so we cannot have a ‘normal’ Leaving Cert. The lived experience of Leaving Cert students, throughout these unprecedented two years, must be acknowledged by Minister for Education Norma Foley. It cannot be business as usual – simply because that makes life easier for the Minister and her Department.”
Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews