New measures will be introduced to stop parents pressuring teachers into giving their children better calculated grades for the Leaving Cert.
The new plan for Leaving Cert will see students offered the option of a calculated grade or a written exam in each subject.
Should students decided to take both options, their final result will be based on whichever one throws up the better grade.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the Education Minister Norma Foley said measures will be put in place to stop parents lobbying teachers for better calculated grades.
“That is not appropriate,” she said. “Likewise, last year it was not appropriate for the system that was introduced last year either.
“There is also an indemnification system. Teachers were very clear that they wanted that and they will receive an indemnification for their work and I think that is only fair, right and proper.”
Pressed on whether there would be penalties for parents and students found to be lobbying teachers, she said: “Absolutely. It will not be acceptable.”
“It is not appropriate; it is not acceptable and, absolutely, cognisance will be taken of that in the guidelines that will be issued. 100%.
“We are looking at measures where it will not be appropriate for any kind of canvassing or any kind of approaches to teachers being made.”
Calculated grades
Teachers unions have welcomed the new plan – but questioned why oral and practical work will not be considered as part of the calculated grades process.
Also, on Newstalk Breakfast, ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said some of the coursework has already been marked.
“I can give you one particularly ridiculous example,” he said.
“Home economics has already been sent to Athlone, they are marked, the project-work element of it.
“This year, unlike last year when it was included in the calculated grades process, we are being told that this year, it won’t be – even though it is done and marked.”
Minister Foley said the system aims to give students “clarity and choice” – and warned that it would not be fair to make students sit orals and practicals if they have no plans to sit the traditional exams.
“You would be introducing or mixing, if you like, two separate components or two very separate issues,” she said.
“The calculate grade is one and the traditional Leaving Cert is another and each of them are standing separate.
“I think it was clear that students were looking for choice. I don’t believe it would be fair to any student to compel them, if they were taking only the calculated grade, to compel to, at this point, sit an oral or a practical.
“We are offering the two options, cognisant of the fact that students have missed three months of in-person study last year and two months this year.
“So, in the interests of fairness to students this, I believe and the Government believes, is the fairest option.”
She said the schools reopening plan is fully predicated on public health advice but confirmed that her department is now “cautiously optimistic” that a phased return to school will begin on March 1st.
You can listen back here:
