Ninth Level Ireland

“Leaving Cert exams are set to be cancelled and replaced with a ‘Plan B’ in which students will be awarded points or grades based on their classwork, according to well-placed sources. Students who are unhappy with their awarded grades will likely be given the option of sitting written exams at a much later date, possibly early next year …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 7 May]

“Leaving Cert students may be awarded grades based on their class ranking and their performance in recent assessments under a potential ‘Plan B’ to the summer exams. The Irish Times understands that a draft Department of Education plan could involve school principals signing off on a process where teachers award provisional grades based on student performance to date …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien and Marie O’Halloran, Irish Times, 7 May]

“Trinity is set to lose out on up to €40 million in commercial revenue this year alone, the College has confirmed, among a rake of blows dealt by the coronavirus to its money-making avenues …” (more)

[Danielle Varley, University Times, 7 May]

“Over 75% of residents have left University College Dublin (UCD) since March, according to figures revealed to The College Tribune. Over 2,300 students have officially cancelled their on-campus accommodation with under 750 remaining in place. As of April 23rd, there have been no positive cases of COVID-19 in the residences …” (more)

[Conor Capplis, College Tribune, 7 May]

“INDEx Survey Report Published by National Forum Reveals Digital Lives of Both Students and Staff Who Teach in Higher Education. The Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, officially unveiled data capturing the first national picture of the digital lives of almost 30,000 students and staff who teach across 32 higher education institutions today …” (more)

[Maura O’Shea, HEA, 7 May]

“Figures for Irish universities’ expenditure on exams have indicated that UCD spent €1.3 million on exams for the 2019/2020 academic year, according to figures revealed by The College Tribune in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. UCD’s spending on exams per student represented the largest in the country according to these figures …” (more)

[Alex Lohier, College Tribune, 7 May]

“As we move from the reactive phase of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic and turn our focus to planning for an as yet unclear future we need to consider a range of possibilities …” (more)

[Graham Scott, Wonkhe, 6 May]

“More than 100 social work students from Queen’s University have qualified early to join frontline services during the coronavirus pandemic. The 103 students from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s fast-tracked their studies to support social work service delivery, and wider health and social care services, during the crisis …” (more)

[Ralph Hewitt, Belfast Telegraph, 7 May]

“Sir, – Over the last six years and most especially since March 12th, the teachers, parents and management of the school have supported our students in order that they would be able to fulfil their potential and become active and engaged members of society. In our school we have always encouraged questioning and debate …” (more)

[Bernadette Prendiville, Irish Times, 7 May]

“It is important to remember the purpose of the Leaving Certificate examination (versus the course) when trying to consider whether or not the exam should be held in August. Firstly the Leaving Certificate – the actual certificate/statement of results itself – is a record of completion and achievement at the end of a two year upper second level course of study. Secondly it provides a set LC exam results relied upon by students as a means of accessing third level places in accordance with agreements laid down by the universities in 1977 and since …” (more)

[Peter Lydon, 7 May]

“Teachers’ unions have voiced grave concerns with Department of Education officials about the health implications for members if the Leaving Cert goes ahead later this summer. Both unions met on Wednesday night to discuss these issues and what role their members may be prepared to play in grading Leaving Cert students if the exams are cancelled …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien and Vivienne Clarke, Irish Times, 7 May]

“NUI Galway Students’ Union has today welcomed the University’s decision to provide a rent rebate for on-campus student accommodation for 2020/21. This means that in September students renting in the campus Goldcrest and Corrib Village student accommodation will be entitled to apply for a 3-4% refund of their rent …” (more)

[Michael Malone, Galway Daily, 6 May]