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Press release

Statement on stakeholder engagement in relation to the State Examinations - Wednesday 6 May

The Department of Education and Skills today (Wednesday 6 May 2020) hosted a sixth meeting with a range of stakeholders as part of planning in relation to the State Examinations during the COVID-19 response. The Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, attended today’s meeting.

The advisory group of stakeholders includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission, the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and the department.

The Higher Education Authority attends meetings in an observer capacity, to assist feeding back to consultations it is involved with across the third level sector.

The group continued its discussions on the practicalities of holding the Leaving Certificate examinations, given the constraints of social distancing and other measures that may be required, based on the available medical advice.

The group also discussed alternative assessment models.

The group also received updates on the measures that have been put in place to support the wellbeing of students at this time.

Minister McHugh said:

“I want to thank the members of the group for their ongoing engagement and support for the work on hand. Discussions here today will assist in making decisions regarding arrangements for the Leaving Certificate that have students’ best interests at heart and that are guided at all times by the public health advice.”

ENDS