The Leaving Cert has been postponed until the end of July at least due to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19.
Furthermore, the Junior Cert has been cancelled, with in-class exams once the school year resumes.
The Department of Education have stated that they've taken these measures based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Also, the deadlines for practical examinations in subjects such as music and history will be postponed until the end of July, according to Education Minister Joe McHugh. Exact dates for when the Leaving Cert will commence is expected to come sometime in June, when the coronavirus pandemic is set to slow.
Schools will remain closed until further notice, says Education Minister Joe McHugh. Junior Cert will be replaced by school-based exams in the next school year. Leaving Cert will be postponed to begin in late July or early August. | Follow live updates: https://t.co/rBeqjRImf4 pic.twitter.com/Ye6HsdkEXt
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 10, 2020
These plans have been put in place in order to give students the best preparation for the state exam. It is hoped that students will have a two week period before the exams where they can return to school and prepare with their teachers. Minister McHugh reckons it's "vital" for students to have in-class time before sitting their final exams, as it will give them an opportunity to refocus and regroup following a tumultuous period. It will also give teachers an opportunity to "reassure and mentor" their students.
Minister McHugh also stated that talks between the Department of Education and the teachers' unions are ongoing in order to assure that this can occur.
The ongoing situation has meant that the usual passage into third level has been thrown into disarray. With the exams taking place at the tail-end of the summer, it is imagined that CAO points and subsequent college courses will have to be pushed back in order to facilitate time for the calculation of results and points totals.
Schools will remain closed until further notice, according to Minister McHugh. The Donegal TD has said that they will only reopen schools "once public health advice assures us that it is appropriate".
SEE ALSO: There's An Absolute Rake Of Quality Movies On TV Tonight
