The Leaving Certificate State Examinations are to see a bit of a makeover in the coming years.
After two years of less than conventional state exams due to the pandemic, there are set to be significant changes made to the Leaving Cert. These changes will be phased in over a few years, with there to be less focus on the final exam. Minister for Education Norma Foley announced the changes involved with the Senior Cycle reform this afternoon.
According to RTÉ News, “Written examinations will be worth no more than 60% of a student’s final Leaving Certificate marks.”
This reform will see more teacher-based assessment too, not unlike how students were assessed amid the pandemic. Continuous assessment will now play a larger role (40%) in students’ future grades.
RTÉ also reports that students entering Senior Cycle in September 2023 will sit their English and Irish Paper One at the end of 5th Year instead of the end of 6th Year. The hope is to alleviate some of the pressures faced by students during their final exams.
Two new optional subjects will also be added to the Leaving Cert curriculum: “Climate Action and Sustainable Development” and “Drama, Film and Theatre Studies”. Students will be able to choose these subjects as part of their Leaving Cert in September 2024.
These plans are adjusting and developing all the time and we expect to hear more news soon on how these changes will take place over the coming years. One thing’s for sure though, adding “Climate Action and Sustainable Development” to the Leaving Cert curriculum is definitely a winner. Plus anyone who loved Film Studies in Transition Year will be buzzing.
If only they could add a subject on taxes now.
Header image via ShutterstockÂ
READ ON: McHughs open their sixth Mayo café this week
