Statement regarding meeting of Advisory Group on planning for State Examinations, 20 January 2022

The Minister for Education Norma Foley, department officials and the State Examinations Commission today, (Thursday, 20 January 2022) hosted an online meeting of the advisory group of stakeholders on planning for the 2022 State Examinations.

The group includes students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, the State Examinations Commission (SEC), the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Education, including the National Educational Psychological Service. The Higher Education Authority attended in an observer capacity.

At today’s meeting the group continued discussion of the arrangements for the 2022 state examinations. A number of updates were received from advisory group members, including reports of results from surveys of members which were conducted by some bodies.

Thanking the members of the group for their contributions and the positive and collaborative engagement today, the Minister stated she is very aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to sit state examinations this year and committed to continued engagement with all education stakeholders in the short period ahead.

It was agreed that the members of the group would reflect on the contributions made at today’s meeting, and engagement will continue between the Minster and the stakeholders on a bilateral basis over the coming days.

A date for the next advisory group meeting will be set in the coming days.