NAPD welcomes the revised Junior Certificate arrangements announced by the Department of Education – 29 April, 2020

NAPD welcomes the revised Junior Certificate arrangements announced by the Department of Education – 29 April, 2020

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has responded to news of the Department of Education’s announcement this afternoon in relation to providing schools with greater freedom to decide whether to run school-based assessments for Junior Cycle students this semester.

According to Clive Byrne, Director of the NAPD:

“The Coronavirus continues to cause unprecedented levels of disruption and chaos across the Irish education system and this disruption is being felt across the board by students, teachers, school leaders and parents, but most critically, by our students in exam years. 

“To this end. the NAPD welcomes the decision taken today by the Department of Education and Skills to provide schools with greater freedom to decide how best to facilitate school-based assessments for this year’s Junior Certificate students. 

“The health and wellbeing of our students has always been our priority, and that of the Department of Education. To their credit, the Department of Education has clearly listened to the feedback and concerns voiced by school leaders, teachers and students. Today’s decision reflects this, and will help provide students with greater clarity and certainty into how their three years of hard work and learning throughout the Junior Cycle will be assessed.

“It will also mean that students and their families can look forward to entering Senior Cycle education this autumn without the burden of unfinished Junior Cycle exams to contend with.”

ENDS