Two more months of added stress, anxiety and pressure on students for exams that are still not guaranteed to go ahead in July or August. Students are now being asked to study through the summer with no added motivation, considering all their upcoming plans such as holidays, concerts and sporting events have now been thrown out the window.
There is currently no deal in place for teachers to return to schools in July. What if the unions oppose this idea? The ASTI has already stated that “no teacher will be required to do anything. The proposal from the Department of Education cannot be enforced”.
political analyst wrote: » https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/plan-to-postpone-the-leaving-cert-dogged-by-dozens-of-unanswered-questions-1.4228625 Impact on students' mental health: The pandemic means that those events probably won't take place anyway. If teachers refuse to return to work in July:
Treppen wrote: » Organising in-house junior cert exams at the start of a new year will never fly. Sec can keep whatever papers they can for next year.
ethical wrote: » Who is fooling who? I know of a school that has handed over its exam hall to a hospital as a step down facility! Does the Golden Circle know something the ordinary punter does not know? How can this school hold its exams if it has handed over its facility? Something strange goin on !!!
Mrsmum wrote: » I am a parent of a fifth year and a second year students and it would seem to me that this year's mess will spill over into next year what with teachers drained from working the summer and JC exams needed to be accommodated in Sept not to mention students being away from proper school time with months on end and of course the Covid virus still at large. But before all of that we have to get over this year for the exam students and there is just no option that doesn't cause problems. From reading this and other threads it seems teachers are totally against predicted grades, with some good arguments, so let's rule that out. Having exams in June is really too tight in the timeframe of keeping everyone safe so that's been discarded as an option too. So I can understand the powers that be deciding on as late as possible in the summer. Imo it's the only option (unless things get even worse.). But it's tough on the poor 6th years and also on the teachers whom they need to help and support them this summer. Would they not consider giving teachers some sort of bonus payment to ease the pain so to speak. Lots of money being spent at the moment, what harm a bit more for this very important issue. Lastly two things. Scrap the practicals and give full marks like the orals. That's only fair. And give 3rd years a JC grade based on all the exam results they have done to date since first year. Surely those Christmas and summer exams are a true reflection of their work to date. And Thanks to all the teachers, like those my children have, making enormous efforts to keep teaching online since school closed. Lots and lots of work behind the scenes I'm sure. My children say they learn better in school but we can all only do the best we can in the given circumstances.
km79 wrote: » Thanks for your support It means a lot genuinely to see something nice written about teachers from time to time No teachers are looking for or want bonus payment. We just want the Minister in particular to be a bit more respectful and perhaps consider consulting more when making huge decisions Agree completely regarding practicals and JC Hope and expect this is what will eventually happen Thanks again
History Queen wrote: » It wasn't me123, this is worth a read. Specifically acknowledges the issue around vulnerable students such as your daughter. The Dept are aware of and looking in to contingencies for students in her situation. A little reassurance for her maybe? /QUOTE] Thanks for that I will show her it. I asked her how she was getting on earlier, she said I'm on holidays. She said some children can self educate - pick a subject, research, etc and some can't and she can't. She needs actual school, teachers and students - nor will she redo 6th year - it was hard enough to get her to finish it as it was - and she can't apply for a job because they ask for LCs. She's in limbo and knows it and its heart breaking - they better come up with something fast, sitting around waiting is not a solution.
khalessi wrote: » This is my concern as the Dept of Education will come up with a half assed plan for the exams and for reopening of schools not taking into account illnesses which prior to Covid19 were not a huge issue to deal with in schools but now could present concerns. Asthma, CF, diabetes, psoriasis depending on the medications you are on as they can make you immunocompromised, and that is just a few conditions to think about, a lot of stuff that teachers and parents may not be aware of. Hell even being overweight is comorbidity for Covid19 And that is not even before the daily deep clean of all locations used for teaching as Covid can staay on surfaces for up to 72hrs. Bet they are thinking of this regarding exams -not!
am_zarathustra wrote: » It's important to remember the SEC arrange for students to sit exams at home, in rooms alone and in hospitals every year. It's a normal part of planning. If students require isolation that won't be a problem. It falls under reasonable accommodations. I'll be putting at least two immunocompromised students in rooms alone, with a superintendent outside the door and a separate entrance and exit of the school used. Any school can allow for this and have probably had to deal with it on a smaller scale before. Totally understandable that parents would be worried but it's a fairly standard exception to be made in the circumstances
doc_17 wrote: » I see the practicals continue to be a source of debate. It was stupid in the extreme to award full marks for orals and the music practicals. And it’s stupid in the extreme to expect others to have to sit their practicals as there won’t be fairness in the marking.
Treppen wrote: » So what would they have done?
km79 wrote: » What if the student has developed covid during the classroom teaching the week prior ? Whole year group has to self isolate Along with teachers (who may be supervisors ) And management? What if it happens in a lot of schools ? Looking at the number of cases , deaths and all the talk about social distancing for a while yet I can’t see the LC happening .....
Treppen wrote: » It's a rolling situation though KM, we could be in a more opportune environment in 3 months. So if anything, it just simply tells students to keep studying and finish out the course as best as possible. The dept will always have to defer to medical advice and I think they'll err on the side of extreme caution when the time comes. Well know more when we know more.
mirrorwall14 wrote: » Very nice article this morning and very well written 'We are the Class of Covid-19. Let us prove ourselves.' One Leaving Cert student welcomes the chance to sit the examshttps://www.thejournal.ie/readme/leaving-cert-coronavirus-5074423-Apr2020/
linguist wrote: » km79: The students and their parents were begging for some clarity. Teachers' holidays were not a factor in this and neither should they have been. A major head of steam was building around this issue and the government had to address it. I don't know what announcement would not have been a disaster by your or anyone else's standards. This whole situation is a nightmare for everyone. Had he come out and announced that they were going with predicted grades, surely that would have been a much worse outcome for most teachers given the professional implications involved? I'm really conscious posting this that I don't know what you or anyone here has been going through over the past few weeks and I hope you're doing well. I say that because we should maybe accept that, in the main, we have it pretty good at the moment if our families haven't been directly impacted. Most of us have stable jobs and our personal futures are ok. If you were in Sweden, you'd still be in school risking your health. I don't think the government here has done too badly in managing what is truly a national disaster.
Treppen wrote: » I suspect they'll need a massive supply of invigilators... Which will be all staff really. I've no doubt they'll let local arrangements allow for staff to opt out for valid reasons.
doc_17 wrote: » The same for everything. Either full marks for all, or delayed for all.
