Pause ‘shortcut’ Leaving Cert reform, says Cork TD

A Cork TD has called on the education minister to pause Leaving Cert reform, after it was reported this week that changes to English and accounting will be delayed.

Eoghan Kenny, Labour Party TD for Cork North Central, made his call to Helen McEntee after The Irish Times reported on Monday that Department of Education officials had concluded that new English and accounting syllabuses may not be ready to be rolled out across all second-level schools in September 2026, as had been planned.

Under the proposed reforms, Leaving Cert students sitting English would have an oral examination — worth 20% — in fifth year and a creative writing task, also worth 20%. Instead of two written exams, students would sit a single written exam, worth 60%.

In planned reforms to accounting, students would be asked to complete an applied accounting project on computer — worth 40% — and a written examination, worth 60%.

However, officials are understood to have raised concerns about the timing of the proposed changes, given the September 2026 deadline.

It comes as second-level teachers are being balloted on whether to support Leaving Cert reforms or vote to take industrial action, which could disrupt schools in the autumn.

Mr Kenny said the reported delay proved what the Labour Party had been saying for months, that Leaving Cert reform “is being rushed”.

“The minister cannot just cherry-pick subjects to pause when the whole system is under pressure. Reform is needed, but it has to be done right,” he said. 

“Every teaching union is now either balloting members or preparing to do so.

“Teachers are speaking clearly. They are deeply worried that this plan is being pushed through without proper training, consultation, or resources.”

Ms McEntee, he said, needed to make a clear statement.

“Is she prepared to take responsibility if the current timeline continues to collapse under scrutiny? Students, teachers, and schools deserve clarity, not chaos,” Mr Kenny said.

“Labour supports modernising the Leaving Cert. We want progress. But progress needs planning.

“Reforms of this scale should take a long-term approach, not a political shortcut. If we rush this, it will fail. Poorly implemented reforms will benefit no one: Not teachers, not students, not parents. That’s why Labour is calling for the minister to... pause the entire rollout.”