Lack of leadership and continued confusion around the Leaving Certificate

Last night An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, addressed the nation with regards to the governments COVID-19 exit strategy. It is with great surprise and disappointment to us that he failed to mention the issue of the Leaving Certificate.
The government in the 26 counties published its roadmap for reopening Ireland for both business and society post COVID-19. The plan sets out five different phases that will see the easing of restrictions across all sectors of society including education. The plan though also failed to mention anything about the Leaving Certificate. Several weeks ago, it was announced by the Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, that the Leaving Cert would go ahead on the 29th of July. The minister also revealed that contingency plans were being put in place if it were a situation the exams could not continue as scheduled and yet no clarity has yet been given as to what these plans are. There is also no clarity as to how the exams will go ahead and what kind of strategies are being putting in place to support our students.
It is unfair and unjust to expect students to sit an exam having not been in school since March or having not completed some of the necessary coursework that will appear on the paper in several different subject areas. Last night’s announcement stating that schools will not reopen until September but providing no clarity on the Leaving Cert has left many students confused and in disarray.
Many students are worried about their own safety in completing these exams. The minister must outline whether or not these concerns are being addressed such as what happens if a student contracts COVID-19 during the exams? If a student does contract the virus will everyone, they had been in contact with be forced to self-isolate having a knock-on effect to the other students in the exam hall? Can social distancing be adhered to? These are just some of the concerns of our 6th years which currently seem like they are being ignored by the Department of Education.
The government have handled this situation very poorly and left Leaving Cert students filled with doubts and uncertainty with regards to how State Exams will proceed. We are calling on the minister to clarify the situation and give our Leaving Cert students the definitive answer that they require. 6th year is a stressful time without the unsurety of whether or not and how State Exams will proceed in June.

le Aaron O’Rourke