The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has responded to concerns regarding the introduction of the limit of eight subjects for the Junior Certificate examination.
The new limit of eight subjects will be a requirement for students entering second level schools in 2014 and taking the examination in 2017. This will form part of major changes in the Junior Cycle which have been proposed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The reforms, which will be introduced on a phased basis, will mark a radical departure in the way we teach, the way students learn and the way in which they are assessed.
The Minister said he had listened to concerns about what might happen in the run up to these changes. He announced that there would be no obligation on schools to limit the number of subjects taken in the Junior Certificate examination for students enrolling in 2012 or 2013.
“But if schools can limit the number of exam subjects for students enrolling in next year or the year after, then I encourage them to do so," said Minister Quinn. "This will allow more time for literacy and numeracy and assist in the planning for the change that is coming anyway in 2014.”
“I stress that there is no compulsion on them to limit the number of exam subjects for new entrants in 2012 or 2013.
“There is, however, nothing to stop any school moving to reduce the number of subjects for exam purposes in the run-up to the reformed Junior Cycle.
"Statistics show that some schools already have such an arrangement in place.
"The figures from the State Examination Commission show that about 2,000 students take eight subjects in the Junior Cert exam annually and a further 3,500 take seven or fewer. At the other end of the scale, 2,000 students take 12 subjects or more and 21,000 take 11 subjects which, I believe, is far too many for most students,” he added.
He said the limit was proposed for good reasons. It will allow more time for literacy and numeracy, it will deal with the problem of curriculum overload and will make time and space for embedding of key skills and active learning
The Minister was addressing the National Conference of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals of second level schools, in the Malton Hotel, Killarney. He thanked the NAPD for the significant contribution it had made to Irish education since its foundation.
ENDS