Two new subjects are being added to the Leaving Cert, Norma Foley confirms

Minster Foley announced the major Leaving Cert overhaul this afternoon.

Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced a major Leaving Cert revamp. The welcomed changes include new subjects and spreading exams over 5th and 6th year. The written Leaving Cert exams will count towards 60% of a student's overall grade. There will now be a greater focus on project-based work. She hopes the new programme will also ease stress for senior pupils. Students who are starting 5th year in 2024 will be able to study Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies. Climate Action and Sustainable Development has also been added to the curriculum. From this September, senior students will sit Irish and English Paper 1 at the end of 5th year. These marks will then be "banked" and added to their overall mark after they sit Paper 2 in 6th year. Oral and practical exams will also take place during the first week of the Easter holidays. Minister Foley also hopes to make Transition Year more accessible for all students. She hopes these changes will "embed wellbeing and reduce student stress levels". She said there will be a "significant emphasis on additional assessment components" as well as written exams. The changes are set to "enrich students’ educational experience". She believes that increasing their choices to match their interests is the way forward. "We will move to a model that uses other forms of assessment, over a less concentrated time period." She believes the current system has its strengths, but it was time for a change. You can read more about the changes to the Leaving Cert here.