‘We want to ensure equity for all students’ – ASTI
The decision to cancel the Leaving Cert and replace it with a system of calculated grades, has been taken to protect public health and is an attempt to make the best of a very challenging situation in the most extraordinary circumstances, according to the Wexford president of the ASTI.
Deirdre MacDonald said uncertainty over the exams has been very stressful for students, teachers and parents during an already difficult time for everyone.
An earlier decision to hold the examinations in mid-July, which was backed by the ASTI, was withdrawn after the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) advised the Department of Education that it would be logistically impossible to stage exams for thousands of students while adhering to Covid-19 protective measures.
‘The medical advice was that it would not be possible to run the Leaving Cert as we know it. The logistics were just not possible. Believe me, no stone was left unturned during the discussions’, said Deirdre.’
‘Everyone wanted the exams to go ahead if it was safe to do so. We put in enormous hours and the State Examinations Board put in enormous hours. There was huge work done, which won’t go to waste, because much of it will be beneficial in the eventual return to school’.
The ASTI president, a native of Courtown living in Enniscorthy and a teacher with the CBS in Wexford, said the association had been forewarned about the difficulties faced in holding exams prior to the announcement last week but was not party to the final discussions.
Elaborating on the proposed system of calculated grades, she said it will be based on evidence and hard data, including Christmas and summer tests.
‘There is a fear among students that the grades won’t reflect the increase in performance often experienced between the mocks and the exams, which boys are particularly good at but the State Examinations Board and the Department will take account of that as best as can be done’.
Deirdre said other issues to be ironed out include legal protection for teachers and a lobbying protocol to deal with any pressure from parents, students or management.
She said the ASTI wants to examine the calculated grades model and is keen to ensure there is equity for all students regardless of what school they go to or the demographic they come from. ‘You don’t realise the benefit of something until it’s gone. People give out about exams but it’s a very robust system and people have great trust in it.’ Her advice to students is to ‘go and enjoy your summer’ and if at the end, they are unhappy with the grades they get, there will be an appeal process, with an opportunity to sit exams later in the year.