New Leaving Certificate cycle to start for thousands of Irish students in months amid ‘better system' hopes
Minister for Education
2
Minister for Education Helen McEntee confirmed the news this morning
Credit: � 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
2
The new cycle will be introduced in September
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The shake-up has been described as in the "best interest of
Minister McEntee said: "Over the past number of weeks, there have been intensive and constructive engagements with the post-primary teacher unions regarding senior cycle redevelopment.
"I am happy to confirm that these talks have now concluded, with a package of supports offered to support the implementation of senior cycle redevelopment from September.'
McEntee added that new proposal is in the hands of the
READ MORE IN NEWS
She continued: "Their input has been instrumental in shaping our shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"Proceeding with the introduction of new and revised subjects under senior cycle redevelopment in September is in the best interest of students.
"It will help to reduce the pressure faced by students, while recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring that students have the skills necessary to thrive and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
"Not only will these supports help teachers and schools to implement senior cycle redevelopment, they will ultimately ensure that students across the country reap the benefits of a revised senior cycle."
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
The first review of the
Ireland's oldest Leaving Cert student awaits results as grandson to sit exams next year
By 2024, both
These would be implemented in Tranche 1 in
The redeveloped subjects launching in September include eight subjects, such as Ancient Greek, Arabic,
The remaining redeveloped subjects will be introduced in the following tranches.
WELCOMED CHANGE
This decision had been approved by former Minister for Education
Following the calls, the
In April, Minister McEntee wrote to the unions to confirm the new programme would be implemented as previously announced.
She added that any further delay to this would be a disservice to students.
'A BETTER SYSTEM'
McEntee added: "This agreement provides a number of important supports to teachers, students and schools to ensure the successful implementation of senior cycle redevelopment.
"I look forward to continuing close collaboration with the ASTI and TUI, indeed with all representative bodies, as we work together to strengthen and support senior cycle redevelopment."
Students from the Irish Second-Level Students' Union backed the new reform.
The ISSU president, Jack McGinn, said: "We are redeveloping our senior cycle because we need to deliver a better system for students, that is what these redevelopments will achieve - we cannot afford to wait another year."
"I welcome the announcement of specific posts of responsibilities to support schools in implementing the reforms, and the increase and extension of grant funding for the science subjects - ensuring that students will have equal access to resources.
"The ISSU encourages stakeholders to support the implementation of support measures. It is imperative that we deliver clarity for students on the ground, to enable them to reach their full potential."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible stories of the last heroes of The Forgotten Army as Britain falls silent to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
BRITAIN will fall silent at noon today to mark VJ80 – the 80th anniversary of Victory against Japan – and the day World War Two finally ended. King Charles and Queen Camilla will lead events to remember the five million British, Commonwealth and Allied forces who fought in the Far East. 13 The nation will fall silent at noon tomorrow to mark VJ80 – the 80th anniversary of Victory against Japan Credit: Getty 13 The Forgotten Army were battling the Japanese in East Asian jungles, while the war in Europe had come to an end Advertisement 13 Here, some of the surviving veterans who will be attending services around the country tell their incredible stories Credit: Getty They called themselves The Forgotten Army because the war in Europe had been over for more than three months and the world wanted to move on. The King, Queen and PM Sir Keir Starmer will be at a service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, attended by 33 VJ veterans aged between 96 and 105. Actress Celia Imrie is presenting the national commemoration live on BBC One from 11.30am. Advertisement Here, some of the surviving veterans who will be attending services around the country tell their incredible stories so they are never again forgotten. Men like SID MACHIN and CHARLIE RICHARDS, 104, the last British Chindits, who fought for months on end hundreds of miles behind enemy lines in the jungles of Burma. 13 Signaller Sid Machin was sent into battle in glider which crashed 13 Charlie Richards thinks daily about his best friend who died in battle Credit: PA Advertisement In a moving interview, Signaller Sid, now 100, of Christchurch, Dorset, reveals how he was sent into battle aged 20 in a glider, which crashed just after take off. He says: 'We thought that would be the end of it but they got us on the next flight and I spent more than five months in the jungle. 'I lost a couple of mates. But you had to just accept these things. It happened, so that was it. 'We had to remove the dog tags from the boys who had died, so that you had them and you could say what happened to them, which wasn't a pleasant thing to do. 'You couldn't bury them, so you had to leave them where they were. It was just part and parcel of the situation we were in.' Advertisement World War Two veterans come together to mark the 80th anniversary of their victory 'We lost six men' 'It was a hard life, but we were young, we were fit. Well, we weren't as fit when we came back.' After the war, father-of-five Sid worked for the GPO, and it is only in recent years that VJ Day became important. He says: 'It brought back memories of my time in India and Burma, some good and some not so good. The hardest thing I ever did was to tell his wife that he had been killed. I think of him every day Charlie Richards 'VJ Day and the events around the country are important to remind others of what we went through.' Father-of-two Charlie Richards from Kettering, Northants, served with the 7th Leicester Regiment. He was selected to join the Chindits and took part in Operation Thursday in March 1944. Advertisement He says: 'Death was an everyday occurrence. It made you wonder if it would be your shoulder that death would be tapping on next.' Charlie lost his best friend 'Son' Johnson. He says: 'One minute he was there, the next he was gone. 'The hardest thing I ever did was tell his wife that he had been killed. I think of him every day.' JOSEPH HAMMOND, 100, from Ghana, was one of 100,000 Africans who fought for the British Army against the Japanese. 13 Ghanaian-born Joseph Hammond fought in the British Army in Burma Advertisement His testimony will be broadcast during the national commemoration. Joseph and his battalion of Gurkhas managed to stop the Japanese from crossing the Irrawaddy River. Sometimes we were short of food for about three to four days until a parachute would drop the food and ammunition for us Joseph Hammond He says: 'We followed them south. It was terrible because the Japanese were the most ferocious fighters I have ever seen.' 'We crossed the river at Maubin and lost six men there. When somebody is killed, sometimes you see that person floating on the water — the very water that we drink. 'Sometimes we were short of food for about three to four days until a parachute would drop the food and ammunition for us.' Advertisement By his own admission, KEN KNOWLES, 100, was a terrible infantryman. 13 A rugby league injury meant Ken Knowles could not hold a rifle properly A rugby league injury meant he could not hold a rifle properly, and when he threw a grenade his own side had to duck for cover. But the Army realised he was a problem solver. Ken, from Lancaster, served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was the man who worked out how to drop the correct supplies to Allied troops deep in the jungles of India and Burma. Advertisement Until Ken had his brainwave of packing every consignment with a mixture of food, ammo, medicines and clothing — all useful to the men on the ground — soldiers fighting in the jungle and desperate for food would receive crates of useless items such as shoes or maps and notebooks. Today he will attend a VJ Day ceremony in Preston. Former RAF navigator DOUGLAS MARSH, 102, flew dozens of missions over Germany before being posted to India, where he flew reconnaissance and bombing missions in Burma and modern-day Bangladesh. 13 Douglas Marsh flew dozens of missions over Germany before being posted to India Douglas, who will watch the national service at his care home in Spalding, Lincs, says: 'We were the forgotten war. Advertisement 'The troops came home from Europe, but we were still fighting.' But on the way home to Britain, he signed up to a three-month art course in Darjeeling, in the shadow of Mount Everest, where he fell in love with painting. He says: 'The light was amazing. In the morning Everest was pink then grew white as the day progressed. Painting would become my passion. I don't have good memories of my time there. But it had to be done. I was proud to serve my country Douglas Marsh 'I loved painting Mosquito planes, but flowers were my favourite. It was very calm and peaceful.' Douglas, who lost his sight in 2009 and had to give up his beloved pastime, adds: 'Burma was not good at all. Advertisement 'I don't have good memories of my time there. But it had to be done. I was proud to serve my country.' Royal Marine JOHN ESKDALE, 100, came within minutes of death when his ship HMS Charybdis was torpedoed and sunk. 13 Royal Marine John Eskdale, 100, came within minutes of death on HMS Charybdis Credit: PA Later, John, from Cardiff, served in the Far East, and when the end of the war was announced he went to Japan to photograph the aftermath of the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Royal Navy Stoker ALFRED CONWAY, 100, was on HMS Wager, sister ship to HMS Whelp, which Prince Philip served on as First Lieutenant. Advertisement 13 Alfred Conway served on same ship as Prince Philip Credit: PA Alongside Philip, Alfred, of Skegness, Lincs, sailed to the Far East and served in Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 1945, Alfred was present when Japan surrendered in Tokyo Bay. YAVAR ABBAS, 105, of the 11th Sikh Regiment, was a combat cameraman. He documented the brutality of war, from the aftermath of Kohima where 7,000 Japanese were killed. 13 Cameraman Yavar Abbas filmed Hiroshima after A-bomb Credit: PA Advertisement He also filmed in Hiroshima after the A-bomb dropped. Yavar, from London, says: 'A Gurkha soldier was shot next to me, dying right there. It could have been me. There won't be any of us left in about five years. So it will be the final time John Harlow 'War is the real crime. If there is no war, there'll be no war crimes.' JOHN HARLOW, 100, from Exeter, served as a telegraphist on the submarine HMS Rorqual, which laid a total of 1,214 mines and was the only mine-laying sub to survive World War Two. 13 Telegraphist John Harlow's submarine laid 1,214 mines Credit: PA Advertisement While on shore leave, John got married on August 11, 1945, and four days later he was on his honeymoon in Northumberland on VJ Day. He says: 'People didn't celebrate VJ Day that much because it was some 8,000 miles away. I don't remember so many street parties or anything like that. 'At least we knew that on VJ Day the whole war was finally over. I am going to the national commemoration because to me that's closure. 'I'll still remember my friends, but it will be the last celebration as such. There won't be any more. 'There won't be any of us left in about five years. So it will be the final time.' Advertisement 13 Actress Celia Imrie is presenting the national commemoration live on BBC One from 11.30am Credit: Getty
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
All the important CAO dates to remember as Leaving Cert results loom
More than 60,000 students are set to receive their Leaving Certificate results next week, marking the end of second-level education. The Leaving Certificate results are released on Friday, August 22, with schools generally opening from 9am on the day of the results. Alternatively, students can access their results online from midday. Those looking to go to college will then have their sights set on the CAO offers, which will begin being released the week after results. More than 60,000 students are set to receive their Leaving Certificate results next week, marking the end of second-level education. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Here is everything you need to know… The first round of CAO offers will be available from 2pm on Wednesday, August 27. Students can access their offers online via the CAO website, and they will also receive a text message and email. If you have applied for level six/seven and level eight courses, you may be offered a course on both levels. You can only choose one. If an applicant is given their first choice, it will be the only offer they receive. If an applicant receives a lower preference in this round, there is a chance they could receive a higher offer in upcoming rounds. The first round of CAO offers will be available from 2pm on Wednesday, August 27. Students can access their offers online via the CAO website, and they will also receive a text message and email. Pic: Getty Images Those who do not get an offer in the first round will receive a 'Statement of Application' via email. This will give students instructions for checking all the data the CAO has on file. The deadline for accepting round one offers is 3pm on Tuesday, September 2. Recipients are advised to accept their offer as soon as possible. Once you accept an offer, you will receive an email of confirmation. Pic: Getty Images Applicants will receive offers from courses higher on their preference list in later rounds, even if they accept a lower preference course in the first round. Should you accept a new offer, the previous one will be automatically cancelled. Round two offers will be made available on Monday, September 8 at 2pm and will close again on Wednesday, September 10 at 3pm. The third round of offers will be released on Tuesday, September 16 at 10am and will close again on Thursday, September 18. Round four will be available on Tuesday, September 23 at 10am and will close on Thursday, September 25 at 3pm. You do not need to contact SUSI regarding your choice; the CAO will alert SUSI of the course students have accepted. If the course is different to the one SUSI accepted, the CAO will notify them of this change. If you accept a course not offered through the CAO, you will have to submit a 'course change notification' form through your SUSI account.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
The 5p hack to keep your fake grass looking new & green & why you should never hoover it
Read on for the most common mistakes PLASTIC PERFECTION The 5p hack to keep your fake grass looking new & green & why you should never hoover it KEEP your fake grass looking lush and green with this 5p hack - and find out why you should never hoover it. The clever trick is simple, cheap, and keeps artificial lawns looking like new without hours of maintenance. Advertisement 2 Keep your fake lawn looking fresh with this cheap and simple cleaning hack Credit: Getty 2 Washing-up liquid mixed with warm water is a quick and easy way to tackle everyday spills and mess Credit: Oliver Dixon Experts warn that vacuuming fake grass can actually damage the fibres and make it look worn out, but with this easy 5p hack, you can refresh your lawn in minutes. Fallen leaves, pet hair, spilled drinks, twigs, dust and dirt can all build up on your fake grass. If left unchecked, this debris can damage the fibres and even encourage moss to grow. While rainwater will wash away most surface grime, it's a good idea to check your artificial grass weekly for loose dirt and debris. Advertisement more on gardens PLAY DAY I filled my garden with outdoor toys from Asda sale, including £3.60 Disney pool A proper deep clean every four weeks will keep your lawn looking fresh, smelling great, and in top shape for years to come. So, how can you clean the grass and get your lawn looking its best again? Washing up liquid Spills on artificial grass are inevitable - whether it's coffee, wine, or even stray paint splatters from giving the fence a fresh coat. The key is to tackle them straight away, before they harden and risk leaving a mark. Advertisement While artificial turf is tough and designed to resist stains, acting fast is the smartest way to keep it looking pristine. 5 ways to get your paddling pool hot in seconds Washing up liquid mixed with warm water is a quick and easy way to tackle everyday spills and mess. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and a dash of washing-up liquid, then work the suds into the fibres to lift the stain. Soak the stain directly with a damp cloth or kitchen towel for liquid stains - but do not rub the grass. Advertisement Rinse thoroughly with a hose to wash away both the dirt and the solution. If the spill has dried on, gently loosen it with a toothbrush to avoid damaging the grass. Washing-up liquid can cost as little as 5p per use, making it an extremely budget-friendly way to keep your fake lawn looking fresh. But for stubborn stains or lingering smells, you'll want to bring out a specialist artificial grass cleaner for a deeper refresh. Advertisement Why not hoover? Don't use your everyday vacuum cleaner on artificial grass, as it can damage the fibres and suck up the infill sand that keeps the turf in place. Instead, opt for smooth, sweeping motions with a stiff brush or plastic broom for a safer, more effective clean. If you prefer a powered option, choose a specialist garden vacuum designed specifically for artificial grass. Standard hoovers aren't built for damp surfaces, and exposure to condensation or rainfall could quickly ruin them. Advertisement Common mistakes Never use sharp objects, as they can cut or tear the turf - tackle stuck or dried-on debris with a putty knife or another blunt tool instead. Skip the heat after hosing down your lawn, as artificial grass will dry naturally. Avoid harsh chemicals when removing sticky residue, as they can damage the plastic fibres - opt for a specialist synthetic grass cleaner. Always clean gently without rubbing the grass too hard, as excessive force can cause unnecessary wear and damage. Advertisement A jet washer can clean artificial grass quickly - but it needs to be on a power setting that doesn't damage the lawn. So, test a small patch first, and keep the power nozzle at least a foot away from the artificial turf.
