ASTI welcomes commitment to 'normal' 2021 exams
ASTI President Ann Piggott has sent a message of good luck to the candidates sitting the 2020 Leaving and Junior Cert written exams in the coming weeks.
“I wish all of the candidates sitting written papers over the next few weeks the very best of luck. Our 2020 exam students experienced an enormous amount of uncertainty and stress this year,” said Ms Piggott.
Ms Piggott welcomed recent statements from the Minister for Education Norma Foley and her Department that they are committed to running conventional State exams next year. The ASTI President added that it is vital that all scenarios are planned for, so that the written exams take place next year in line with students’ expectations.
“The importance of a State exams process which provides fairness, integrity and equity for students has been brought to the fore during this pandemic. The ASTI made it clear that the calculated grades process was a once-off engagement by teachers. We welcome the recent statements from the Minister and her Department that they are committed to the Leaving and Junior Cert exams taking place as normally as possible in 2021. However, further clarity is needed. The Department and the State Exams Commission must ensure that contingency planning deals with all scenarios so that students can be certain that their expectations regarding their exams will be met. Students must be safeguarded against undue stress due to many months of speculation and uncertainty.”
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