Schools are today expected to be given the all-clear to replace this year’s Junior Cert with their own assessments.

The Junior Cert was due to begin on June 3rd; however, it has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Representatives of students, parents, teachers and schools will meet officials at the Department of Education again today.

There has been widespread opposition to the original plan, which would have replaced the June exams with school-based assessments in the autumn.

The Taoiseach on a visit to the COVID-19 Community Assessment Hub in DCU Collins Avenue this morning, 29-04-2020. Image: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Speaking this morning, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the new plan was likely to be announced later today.

“There is a stakeholder group meeting today and I anticipate the Minister for Education will be able to make a statement on the plan for the Junior Cert later today,” he said.

“I think that will be well received by education partners and also by students.”

The new proposals are expected to see schools putting tests and assessments in place before the summer – with students then issued with a certificate stating that they have completed their education to Third Year.

Speaking after Friday’s meeting of the advisory group, the Minister for Education Joe McHugh urged schools not to take decisions into their own hands until stakeholders had finished their assessment of the situation.

Online assessments and project work are expected to be among a range of different approaches schools will be allowed to take to assess student’s progress.