merrion street

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today (Thursday 25 March) announced the details of the additional supports that will be provided to schools to support the running of the Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied Examinations and the Accredited Grades process.

Schools can appoint a Leaving Certificate Aide to support school management in the planning, preparations for and running of the examinations, and the work involved in the Accredited Grades process including work related to providing estimated marks for out of school learners and students studying subjects outside of school.

The measures are designed to support schools and ensure that essential work for Leaving Certificate 2021 can take place. The arrangements recognise that certain work is required to be carried out outside the normal time in which such work is undertaken during the Easter holidays, at evenings and at weekends.

Minister Foley said: “I am pleased to be able to provide schools with additional supports by increasing significantly the number of days for which they can appoint an Aide to support both the running of examinations and the work required for the Accredited Grades process.

“It is a challenging time for schools and these measures recognise the unique circumstances of this year and the additional work involved in planning and running the examinations safely, in line with public health advice. They also recognise that certain work is being done during the Easter holiday period to protect tuition times for students to the greatest extent possible, given the disruption experienced to students already.”

Schools will be able to appoint an Aide from within the school, to conduct the planning and organisation work associated with the oral examinations and to assist with the administration of the June examinations and the Accredited Grades process.  The number of days available will range from 50 to 60 days depending on the number of candidates in the school and the range of activities that are required to meet the needs of candidates in that school. 

Full details of these arrangements will be advised to schools by the State Examinations Commission.

ENDS                                                                                                                                                                      

Notes to Editors

Leaving Certificate Aide Days 2021

• Subject to certain conditions, up to 8 additional days are also available to support the delivery of examinations on Saturdays in May and for school opening on Sundays in June to provide for the delivery of the written examinations. 
• Within a school’s allocation of days, 5 days are reservable to the principal.
• Rate of payment for Aide Day is €146.19.