Teachers would consider examining own students

A teachers’ representative says they will consider examining their own students for Junior Certificate but only if it is done in their normal teaching time, or if they will be paid for it.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary John MacGabhann was responding to the idea put forward by a principals’ leader that the exam be corrected by students’ own teachers, given moves to make the Junior Cert less of a high stakes event.

As this year’s 59,000 Junior Cert students got their results, Mr MacGabhann said the TUI was prepared to consider different examination methods, including school-based assessment. However, he said, it also attached conditions to any such moves that would protect public confidence in the State exams, as well as its members’ professional interests.