Anger over Junior Cert school bus essay

THE State Examinations Commission yesterday defended the inclusion of an essay question about school buses in yesterday's Junior Certificate English exam.

It came less than three weeks after the crash in which five students died.

But parents' groups said an alternative paper should have been provided to avoid causing upset.

The choice of compositions offered to ordinary-level students included one on the topic of travelling on a school bus.

Four of the crash victims - including two who should have sat their Junior Certificate yesterday - were students at St Michael's Loretto Convent in Navan. Last night the school said there was "a deep sense of shock" among students over the question.

Staff from the National Educational Psychological Service are available to Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate candidates at the four Navan schools affected by the tragedy until the exams end on June 24.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) has also made allowances for students in the affected schools to take extra rest periods during exams.

An SEC spokesperson said the question may have been difficult given what happened last month, but that there will always be something on exam papers which might cause upset.

"Every year, some material could have a significant impact on candidates. For example, they might be asked to write about drugs and a student might have a relative for whom it's an issue," she said.

"While every effort is made to avoid the inclusion of material that might cause offence or upset, it's not possible to exclude all reference to subjects and topics that might be associated with a traumatic experience for some candidates."

Education Minister Mary Hanafin said she will talk to the SEC about the matter. She said: "I know it is very sensitive for a lot of people. I hope it didn't cause too much difficulty for students undertaking that exam."

However, National Parents Council Post Primary President Eleanor Petrie said: "It behoves the SEC to actually read the papers, we should have the sensitivity to do it when we know young people are going to be upset. As parents and educators, we should be one step ahead."

Labour education spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan said the question was insensitive, especially given the SEC had more than two weeks to review the paper and insert an alternative.

Fine Gael's Olwyn Enright said a system must be put in place to ensure future exam papers can take account of very distressing national events so a similar situation does not arise again.