EXAMINATION CHANGES:THE INTRODUCTION of a revised Junior Cert, replacing the current much-criticised exam, is to be delayed.
The Department of Education confirmed last night that consultation with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) would continue until early next year. This means it could be several more years before the recast exam is rolled out.
Last night, the employers’ group Ibec stressed the urgent need to replace the Junior Cert with a less examination-focused curriculum, which would emphasise a broader range of skills and stimulate pupils’ enthusiasm for learning.
Tony Donohoe, Ibec head of education policy, said: “The current overcrowded, rigid and subject-based curriculum dominates secondary school organisation and teaching practice. This represents a major missed opportunity to encourage the types of creativity, flexibility, independent thinking and appetite for learning that are so critical in later stages of education and work.’’
An NCCA discussion paper published this year sets out possible changes to the Junior Cert, including less emphasis on a single-terminal exam and a greater focus on continuous assessment.Research has identified a series of problems with the exam,including curriculum overload, with students taking up to 14 subjects, and a lack of independent learning.
Minister for Education Mary Coughlan believes any reform must promote real understanding and get away from rote learning to enable students become independent learners.
Responding to today’s results, Ms Coughlan said she was encouraged that 88 per cent of students took science and the proportion of students taking higher level maths has increased to 45 per cent.
“These subjects are both important for the knowledge economy, and I hope that students who did well in these areas will continue with science subjects when planning their subject choices for their Leaving Certificate and sit maths at higher level.’’
Introduced in 1989, the Junior Cert was intended to broaden the educational experience. However, it has become a mirror image of the Leaving Cert. Several Junior Cert subjects are still examined entirely by written exams, including English and maths.
