Commenting on the Government’s confirmation of arrangements for this year’s Leaving Certificate examinations, Social Democrats spokesperson for Education, Gary Gannon TD, said:
“The Government has failed this cohort of Leaving Certificate students who have endured high levels of stress and anxiety due to all the uncertainty surrounding this year’s exams. I welcome that the Minister has today finally moved to bring some clarity and direction to over 60,000 students.
“What has been announced is a complicated system that will require better communication from the Minister and her Department in terms of answering students’ questions quickly.
“There also needs to be contingency built into the plan for the written exams element as there is no guarantee that Covid-19 will be suppressed by June. Students need to understand what will happen in a worst-case scenario if the virus re-emerges after we start to open up the economy and society again.
“I will be engaging with student representatives in the coming days and passing on any of their concerns to Minister Foley and her officials.
“In the meantime, I hope that students get the clarity and communication they deserve for the sake of their mental wellbeing.”
February 17, 2021