Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has signalled her determination to proceed with reform of the Leaving Cert timetable, despite objections from some school management groups.
In her first move since her re-appointment to the education portfolio, she again pointed to the huge pressure imposed on students by the current "front-loading" of major exams.
The Minister wants to see the first paper in both Irish and English moved to May, but school managers say this could present huge logistical difficulties.
In a sign of her growing impatience with school managers on the issue, the Minister says she wants to hear from this year's Leaving Cert students concerning the timetabling of the State exams.
Speaking on 2FM's Exam programme 606, Ms Hanafin said: "I want to hear from students who are just completing their Leaving Cert exams, to hear their suggestions about the timetabling of the exams.
"I would like to hear their views on my idea to move the written Paper 1, essay and comprehension, in English and Irish to an earlier time of the year, such as in May. I would like to hear their views about the aural exams or for example the mix of papers that take place on a particular day.
"You the students know what works well and what could be improved upon. Your ideas are as important as any of the professionals who work in education and the students' voice and views must be heard too ."
The Minister also said that she intends to invite a cross-section of students from around the country to meet with her in the coming weeks to hear at first hand their views on the timetabling of exams and to look at the wider options.
There is now every prospect that the Leaving Cert timetable will be reformed radically in time for next year's exams.
Aside from the Hanafin plan for a two-stage exam in Irish and English, the overall timetable is also set to be reviewed by the State Examination Commission.
The second-level teacher unions and school management bodies accept that the current timetable - which sees some students writing for over 28 hours across a seven-day period - is intolerable.
• Students can contact the Minister by e-mail on minister_hanafin@education.gov.ie
