Revamp of Leaving Cert on the cards

By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent PLANS to overhaul the education system, including a revamped Leaving Certificate exam, longer school hours and smaller classes have been drawn up.

The proposals, the result of consultation with education professionals and other interest groups, will be presented to the Government before Christmas.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which advises Education Minister Noel Dempsey on policy, envisages major changes to the Leaving Cert and day-to-day running of second level schools by 2010 to include: