New 50-50 Junior Cert to be rolled out in 2015

The new Junior Cert will only be made up of 50pc written exams in a radical overhaul.

The new proposals place a heavy emphasis on school-based portfolio work.

But the plans could be opposed by teacher union ASTI.

The paper from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment says a “50-50’’ split is being discussed, but so is a 60-40divide is favoured by some.

Reform of the Junior Cert is one of Minster Ruairi Quinn’s main policy priorities.

In the last report by the OECD, 15-year-old Irish students performed badly.

A Department of Education spokesman said there was an ambitious timetable for reform.

And he added that the Minister hoped the first revised Junior Cert would be in 2015.

Under the new proposals, students would complete a maximum of eight subjects in the revised exam.

At present, some pupils to take 12 or more subjects.

In the revised Junior Cert, all students would still take a written exam in June in their eight subjects.

But this would be accompanied by a portfolio component assessed by the school and externally moderated by the State Exams Commission.

The ASTI will not agree to any system where teachers are assessing their own pupils.


- Independent.ie reporters