{"id":38415,"date":"2025-09-02T10:43:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T10:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/38415\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T10:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T10:43:11","slug":"the-most-significant-reforms-in-a-century-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/38415\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The most significant reforms in a century\u2019 \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been spoken about for decades. Every year, as tens of thousands of students file into exam halls around Ireland, there\u2019s a debate about whether the Leaving Cert<\/a> is fit for purpose, and whether one series of terminal exams is a fair way of assessment.<\/p>\n

From this September, big changes to the Leaving Cert kick in, dubbed by some as the \u201cmost significant reforms in a century\u201d. But there\u2019s division and concern among educators. In particular, they\u2019re exercised over the resourcing of schools and a fear that students from wealthier backgrounds will have an advantage. <\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the reality? What can students expect in coming years? And will these changes be fair and relevant to the modern world?<\/p>\n

How is senior cycle changing?<\/b><\/p>\n

For the fifth years starting this September, seven subjects have been updated to include more hands-on learning and real-world applications.<\/p>\n

The first tranche of subjects include business, biology, chemistry and physics, as well as ancient Greek, Arabic and Latin.<\/p>\n

In addition, there will be two brand new subjects in selected schools: climate action & sustainable development; and drama, film & theatre studies. <\/p>\n

Most significantly, at least 40 per cent of marks in these subjects will be awarded based on an additional assessment component (AAC), such as a project, practical work or performance. <\/p>\n

[\u00a0Reformed Leaving Cert would allow too many opportunities to cheat using AIOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

For fifth years starting in 2026, a second tranche of seven subjects will include an AAC, with accounting, English, geography and PE. <\/p>\n

There are also big changes to the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA), the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), transition year and senior cycle.<\/p>\n

What does the Minister for Education say?<\/b><\/p>\n

Speaking to The Irish Times, Minister for Education Helen McEntee<\/a> says the needs of students have driven the changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a world being transformed by Al<\/a> and the digital revolution, and where jobs and roles are changing, we need to equip children with the skills they need to succeed and thrive in a changing world,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery child is different and has different abilities and, by bringing in new additional assessment components for all subjects, we will make sure every child has the opportunity to demonstrate those abilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will build on the 28 existing subjects in the current Leaving Cert (including art, construction, Irish, history and design & communication graphics, to name a few) that already [have AACs] and also reduce pressure on students by moving away from single exams worth 100 per cent of the marks.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the AAC accounting for at least 40 per cent of a student\u2019s marks, McEntee says the aim is to reduce the stress on students by moving away from the focus on a single exam day in June.<\/p>\n

How will these new assessments be marked, and what does it mean for parents and students?<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the big concerns of teachers is that proper briefs have yet to be issued, so they return to school not knowing exactly what they\u2019re expected to do. <\/p>\n

But a sample brief will come in September, and students will be issued with a brief for their projects or practicals in January 2026. This is earlier than was initially expected. <\/p>\n

In physics<\/a>, chemistry <\/a>and biology<\/a>, students will be issued with briefs to investigate and gather data on a topic, and they will then carry out scientific research and present their project to be externally assessed. <\/p>\n

In business<\/a>, students will be given a brief that includes the theme of the investigation, instructions on submission protocols, a description of the investigative process and an outline of marks. Students will develop a research question in response to the brief, which aims, according to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment<\/a>, to \u201cgive students practical opportunities to apply their knowledge, skills, values and competencies … such as being creative, thinking critically and solving problems, managing learning and self and communication\u201d.<\/p>\n

Projects are expected to take about 20 hours to complete. <\/p>\n

Four sample exam papers have already been issued for the first tranche of subjects. <\/p>\n

What do teachers and students think of this?<\/b><\/p>\n

There are different views among educational stakeholders. The Teachers\u2019 Union of Ireland<\/a> approved the changes in a ballot of members, but the Association of Secondary Teachers<\/a> voted against. <\/p>\n

The Irish Second-Level Students Union<\/a> (ISSU) is broadly in favour of the changes.<\/p>\n

In each case, however, it\u2019s not full-throated support or opposition \u2013 and, although the ASTI is considering industrial action, that doesn\u2019t mean that they can \u2013 or will \u2013 refuse to teach the new courses: teachers are obliged to deliver the curriculum as per the Minister for Education\u2019s instructions. <\/p>\n

What are the concerns?<\/b><\/p>\n

Teachers have three main areas of concern, says Dan Sheedy, principal at TheTuitionCentre.ie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These are:<\/p>\n