Schools are being allowed to decide themselves whether or not they want to run junior cert assessments for students this year.
This afternoon, Education Minister Joe McHugh announced revised arrangements for this year’s Junior Cycle.
It's been revealed that schools are being given autonomy to decide whether to run school-based assessments and what form they take.
These can vary from designed examinations, tasks, projects, assignments, essay style questions, presentations, or other tasks agreed at a local level.
Regardless of what is decided by individual schools, the work and achievement of third years will be recognised with a state certificate from the Department of Education.
Meanwhile, students will receive a written school report on their learning achievements in each subject as soon as possible after the end of the current school year.
Minister Joe McHugh says “This decision has been made with the health and wellbeing of students, parents and teachers at the forefront of our thinking.
“It gives students and their families more clarity and certainty. It also gives schools freedom to decide how best to assess the progress of students following three years of hard work and learning.”
