The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) is encouraging its members to participate in the new Grading Plan for Leaving Certificate but have shared major concerns with the decision.
Parents and students around Ireland received the news last week that the Leaving Cert is due to be cancelled, and replaced with predictive grading.
Students have the option of receiving predictive grading or sitting the Leaving Cert at a later date when it is deemed safe to do so.
While some were happy with the decision, other students were disappointed, but all in all, it was a relief to finally get some clarity on what has been a lengthy and worrying issue for students all over Ireland.
According to RTÉ, ASTI President Deirdre MacDonald has said that they were not involved in the development of the calculated grade system and that they have major issues with the plan.
MacDonald asserted that they are disappointed with the Minister for Education revoking his initial decision to award full marks to students for their oral and practical exams, saying it was "very unfair and unjust".
This decision was made on the basis that if full marks were given for oral and practical exams, the Department of Education would be unable to compare this year’s results with previous years’ results, which is an important part of the new grading system.
According to RTÉ, there is also a worry concerning the "professional integrity" of some teachers, and as a result, many students don't feel comfortable with their future resting in the hands of a teacher.
In a statement on Friday, Minister McHugh said:
“The reality of the impact of Covid-19 has led to a decision that has never happened in our country before. I fully appreciate the magnitude of this issue, for the students and their families, for the teachers and for school principals.
Are you happy with the decision?
