I urge the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to reconsider her decision to push back the Leaving Cert results until the 7th of September. The assessments were submitted by teachers weeks ago. Why could she not just call in extra resources to ensure the results were ready for mid August as expected.
It has been almost six months of uncertainty, stress and anxiety for thousands of young people trying to access education. This week saw another twist in the saga. For students to just hear through a press release from the minister that they have to wait another three weeks is just disgraceful.
The government needs to make sure they are communicating in an open and clear way with students. Delivering news like this by press release is just not acceptable.
The decision and its implications need to be adequately explained. Unfortunately, the first few weeks of the new minister being in her role have been characterised by evasiveness and lack of transparency.
The current plan is for CAO placements to be announced on the 11th of September. The knock-on effects on third level institutes, students and parents will mean they are under substantial pressure to organise all the aspects of beginning higher education, in terms of registration, transport, accommodation and many other things in a much shorter period of time.
On top of all of this there are still questions to be asked about the effect of a late release date on the results appeals process and how it will work as well as on students applying to study in other jurisdictions.
The Minister must get control of this situation and understand the detrimental impact of this chaos on young people who have been asked to endure so much already.
Speaking with Aidan Crowley on CRCfm.
