Internet to ease Junior Cert marks concerns

THE internet and email could make it easier to send students’ work to other schools for marking, easing teacher concerns about assessing their own pupils, said Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

Details emerged last week about plans to replace the Junior Certificate with a new qualification that would include 40% of marks in traditional subjects awarded for continuous assessment or portfolio work.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) proposals include students compiling portfolios of projects, essays or other assignments, such as video or audio recordings of performances or debates related to the subject.