There have been two high-level decisions, taken on foot of updated advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team:
(a) that plans were being put in place for the postponed Leaving Certificate examinations to begin in the last week of July or early August, subject to public health advice
and
(b) that Junior Cycle final examinations due to take place in June will be replaced by school-based exams and assessments held early in the new school year.
The only clarifications and commitments that have issued from the Department are as follows:
Leaving Certificate Exam Timetable
The new Leaving Certificate exam timetable will be confirmed in early June.
Reasonable Accommodations
Students with special educational needs will be fully supported in sitting the rescheduled Leaving Certificate examinations in line with the reasonable accommodations as already arranged for them
Orals and Practicals
• Leaving Certificate oral language and some Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle practical performance examinations had been scheduled to take place between 23rd March and 3rd April
• These were cancelled and candidates awarded 100% for these components
• The Minister’s announcement does not change that position
Practical Projects and Course Work
• A range of subjects involve these elements – Computer Science, PE Performance, Technology, Art, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, History, Geography, RE, Politics and Society, Music Composition, Construction Studies and Home Economics (Textiles)
• The deadline for submission of work will now be immediately prior to the commencement of the written examinations in the late July/August period
Practical examinations
A number of practical examinations, supervised by school appointed superintendents and scheduled for 27th April to 8th May in Engineering, Art Life Sketching and Construction Studies and a practical and written examination in Computer Science scheduled for 27th May will now
take place in the late July/August period
LCVP Link Modules
LCVP Link modules written examination re-scheduled for the late July/August period
Alternative Examinations
It is likely that some candidates will be unable to take their examinations on health grounds, as they may be ill or in quarantine or isolation. The SEC and the Department are considering appropriate alternative arrangements so that candidates in this situation are not disadvantaged compared to their peers.
Class Time
Minister McHugh has said the intention is to allow at least two weeks of class time, in school, before the Leaving Certificate examinations begin.
The nature and scale of these decisions will carry significant implications for school management. Meanwhile, it is most important to affirm that the commitments outlined here are high-level only, and that no negotiations or consultation processes have, as yet, supported the emergence of an implementation plan in any of these areas. While this work proceeds, school management should accept only those updates and announcements that emerge from authoritative sources including the Department of Education, the State Examinations Commission and the Joint Managerial Body.
A press release from the Department of Education can be accessed here https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2020-press-releases/PR20-04-10.html