[ Examwatch 2024: Reaction to the big Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle examsOpens in new window ]
Religious education teachers have welcomed a “nuanced” higher-level paper that gave students suitable challenges and required them to think critically.
Róisín Dignan, ASTI subject representative and a teacher at Haywood Community School in Laois, said students were happy with the paper.
“It was an interesting paper – challenging in parts but doable, and with plenty of choice,” she said. “It forced them to think.”
Paul McAndrew, a religious education teacher at the Institute of Education, said the paper was detail-oriented.
Six key issues facing the next minster for education
‘People make assumptions about us’: How third level is becoming a real option for people with intellectual disabilities
Dublin school to review ethos statement over message telling parents students must attend all religious ceremonies
We need a Donogh O’Malley-style figure to deliver on the promise of a reformed Leaving Cert
“That will really compliment student knowledge, and the paper challenged students to be attentive to the nuances of the questions,” he said.
Both Ms Dignan and Mr McAndrew said that students were happy with the question on Socrates.
“It really dissects every bit of Socrates’ work and impact, covering his philosophical development as well as influence on Plato and Aristotle,” said Mr McAndrew.
“There were lots of aspects to explore – for texample, the moral good and essences – so any student who had spent the time going in depth on such a pivotal thinker will be very pleased with how much they could discuss.”
Ms Dignan said that question two, which asked students about “spiritual hunger in our times,” was topical and open-ended.
“Students could write about retreats, pilgrimages such as Croagh Patrick and the Camino de Santiago, meditations, and retreats,” she said.
Mr McAndrew said that question two allowed for contemporary reflection and application of concepts.
Both teachers said that section B, which looked at the origins of Christianity, contained familiar concepts and questions.
The final portion of the paper covered a wide range of topics from sacred texts, the Irish
experience of faith, religions relationship to science, and gender and religion.
“The latter is a popular topic as it has very similar questions every year,” said Mr McAndrew.
“This is due to being a comparatively small part of the course, but it contains lots of big ideas that challenge students. The questions were clear with some nice internal choice, so those who prepared could find something that suited them.”
- Follow The Irish Times education section on Facebook and X (Twitter) and stay up to date
