Changes to two Leaving Cert subjects delayed until at least 2028

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment said 'additional time is being provided to support detailed planning for implementation and assessment arrangements'.

Major changes to two key Leaving Cert subjects have been delayed until at least 2028 following concerns about the reform process. 

Changes to Leaving Cert maths and English as part of a major overhaul of the Senior Cycle will not be rolled out to fifth-year students from next year as previously planned.

The new English course, which will include an oral assessment, is now expected to be introduced to fifth-year students from September 2028. 

It was originally expected to be rolled out to fifth years this September. In 2025, teachers were advised that this was delayed "at least a year" for further examination. 

The new Leaving Cert maths course was also expected to be rolled out for fifth-year students from September 2027.

Its rollout is now delayed until at least 2028, the Irish Examiner has confirmed. 

Last month, it emerged that two expert members of the group tasked with redeveloping maths alongside the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) resigned from the process.

Pauline Mellon and Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin both raised concerns about the draft curriculum and proposed changes to the subject. Similar frustrations have also been experienced by members of other groups tasked with redeveloping Leaving Cert subjects. 

The NCCA said the timelines for the introduction of revised Leaving Certificate English and maths specifications have been "adjusted".

'Significant changes'

The new English course involves "significant changes", including the introduction of two new assessment components, including an oral assessment, an NCCA spokesperson said. 

They added: "Additional time is being provided to support detailed planning for implementation and assessment arrangements, as well as the development of guidance and support materials for schools and teachers." 

"English is currently planned for introduction to fifth-year students in 2028.

In maths, additional time for curriculum redevelopment is required to reflect "the complexity of developing specifications across foundation, ordinary, and higher levels.

"The work has also required detailed consideration of the additional assessment component (AAC), which will form part of the overall assessment arrangements for the first time." 

Public consultation is currently underway and will remain open until November. 

"Following this process, the LC Mathematics Development Group will consider the feedback received before finalising the curriculum," they said. "As a result, the implementation of the revised mathematics specification has been postponed from its originally planned date of September 2027." 

'Process has been a mess'

Prof Mellon said extending the timeframe for maths reform is "clearly unavoidable". 

She said: "I support the call of the Irish Science Teachers Association for a complete suspension of all Senior Cycle reform until an independent international review of NCCA procedures takes place." 

Engineers Ireland has also called for proposed changes to be assessed against high-performing international mathematics curricula, she added.

Prof Mellon added: "In addition, critical questions consistently raised, such as the future of bonus points for higher level and the parameters of the AAC, should also first be addressed.

"Only after these issues are resolved should work resume on reform of the maths curriculum, and that entails restarting from scratch to get curricula deserving of our students at all levels. 

"The process to date has been a mess. Now we should pause, learn from others, and get it right."

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said public consultation on maths involves "gathering feedback from students, teachers, and schools, as well as other stakeholders." 

They said: "As a result, the timeline for introducing the revised mathematics specification in schools has been adjusted. This will allow the development work to be completed and ensure that schools and teachers have access to the necessary guidance, training, and support materials." 

• Jess Casey, Education Correspondent