Cork teacher expresses concern about Leaving Cert grading system

TEACHERS are to call on the Department of Education to make special provisions for teachers around the proposed changes to the Leaving Certificate.

Cork English teacher and member of the ASTI standing committee executive, Conor Murphy, told The Echo that the minister for education’s proposal that 40% of Leaving Certificate subject grades be made up outside of the written exam could cause several issues.

Mr Murphy said the move “has teachers concerned” for many reasons, including the possibility of students using artificial intelligence to complete projects, due to them not being supervised like traditional exams; and that the move would widen the gulf between public and private schools.

Mr Murphy said: “If we are moving towards the changing of the Leaving Cert, that will be a huge amount more work again for teachers; we will need extra time in the classroom, face to face, at least two hours per subject.”

The Clare branch of the ASTI introduced a motion at last week’s convention that would help alleviate this issue, by allowing for within-timetable professional time for teachers to help with the proposed projects.

It called for the Department of Education to make professional time available within timetables for teachers of those Leaving Certificate subjects that contain additional components (coursework, orals or practical examinations), which it is proposed will be rolled out for all Leaving Certificate subjects, “in view of the additional workload placed on teachers of Leaving Certificate subjects containing additional components”.

The motion was passed with an amendment by Mr Murphy’s branch, of the Carberry branch, which added the words “per subject” after the words “or two hours per week”, in case teachers taught multiple subjects with project components.