The Leaving Cert and Junior Cycle oral and practical exams are being cancelled because of coronavirus – but students will be awarded full marks for them.
This includes oral tests in Leaving Cert Irish, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese. In terms of practical performance tests, Leaving Cert Music and Junior Cert Music and Home Economics have been affected.
However, no decision has been made yet about the written exams in June, Education Minister Joe McHugh said today.
As it stands, the core element of the Leaving Cert - June's written exams - will still go ahead but this is subject to further discussion and developments regarding Covid-19.
As for the school-based orals and practicals, they were due to take place over a two week period, starting next Monday.
At present, the second phase of practical exams remain as originally scheduled from Monday April 27 to Friday May 8.
No changes were announced for the written exams in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP).
Minister McHugh also confirmed changes to the deadlines for students that have to complete project work and coursework in a number of subjects. The timeframe to complete these projects was originally March 20 to Friday April 24. Students will now be given until Friday May 15 to complete this work.
These include the following: Leaving Certificate Computer Science, Physical Education, Technology, Art, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, History, Geography, Religious Education, Politics and Society, Music, Constructions Studies and Home Economics. Junior Cycle Metalwork, Materials Technology Wood, Technology and Religious Education. Junior Cycle Assessment Tasks in English, Irish, Modern languages, Science and Business Studies.
As per previous measures, schools will continue to be closed next week as part of the social distancing measures implemented to restrict the spread of Covid-19.
