Minister must ensure fairness within and between Leaving Certificate years as grade inflation unwinds – Darren O’Rourke TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth, Darren O’Rourke TD, has called on Education Minister Helen McEntee to ensure fairness within and between Leaving Certificate years as she begins to unwind the recent years of grade inflation.
 
The Meath East TD was responding to plans from the Department which would see inflated grades drop from 7.5% to 5.5% for the Class of 2025, thereby putting this year’s students at a significant disadvantage compared to applicants from previous years
 
Teachta O’Rourke said:

“As the Minister and Department of Education prepare to unwind the temporary grade inflation introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am calling on Minister McEntee to ensure fairness – both within and between years – for Leaving Certificate students, particularly as this relates to access to third-level places.

“The exceptional measures taken during the pandemic were necessary to account for the unprecedented disruption to learning. However, as we transition back to normal grading standards, it is critical that adjustments are made gradually and transparently to avoid unfairly disadvantaging any cohort of students.
 
“I am calling on the Minister to ensure that students sitting exams in different years don’t face vastly different grading standards that distort college entry and career prospects.
 
“The Minister must also ensure that schools, students, and third-level institutions have clear information.

“The Leaving Certificate is a pivotal milestone in young people’s lives, and fairness must remain at the heart of any changes. I urge the Minister to engage with stakeholders – including students, teachers, and third-level institutions, to ensure a balanced approach that supports learners and does not create unfair, between-year inequities.”