Students and parents welcome reform of exam

Students and parents’ organisations have welcomed the planned overhaul of the Junior Certificates that will move the emphasis away from the final exam.

The Irish Second-level Students’ Union said the presence of standardised tests in core subjects will preserve academic integrity and provides a clear statement on the importance of science. Second year students will take standardised tests in English reading and maths, and in Irish at all-Irish schools, with standardised tests in science added from 2016.

“In our consultation work with students last year, they were unequivocal in their support of the key themes of the new junior cycle,” said its president Dylan Grace.

National Parents’ Council post primary said the new system will allow students develop their creativity and thinking processes. “It will teach pupils to work in a group dynamic with cognisance of listening and thinking and also respect for the views and abilities of others,” said its spokesperson Jackie O’Callaghan.

While welcoming the focus on learning experience for students, the biggest body representing schools said the confidence of parents, pupils, teachers and school management in the new junior cycle depends on it being properly planned and resourced.

“Supports such as availability of time and continuous professional development must be provided for school management and teachers if the introduction of the new junior cycle is to succeed,” said Joint Managerial Body general secretary Ferdia Kelly.

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals director Clive Byrne said education will be richer for the planned reform.

“There will be some anxiety among the education partners, but the principles and values at the heart of the junior cycle framework will stand the test of time.”

The concerns of teachers about marking their own students’ work was acknowledged by the Irish Vocational Education Association. “We now know where we are going and it is important that all partners, especially management, unions and the Department of Education sit down together without prejudice to work out how the goals the minister has set can be achieved,” said general secretary Michael Moriarty.

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