Ó Searcaigh poems to remain on Leaving Cert

THE work of poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh is to remain on the Leaving Certificate Irish syllabus for at least the next two years.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), which advises Education Minister Mary Hanafin on what poems and stories should be studied for state exams, discussed the issue at its monthly meeting last night.

While the recent controversy about Mr Ó Searcaigh was not a specific item on the council’s agenda, it arose during the consideration of prescribed texts for Irish exams after next year’s Leaving Certificate.