ISSU Statement : Second-Level Students’ Union Welcomes Proposed Changes to the 2023 State Examinations

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) welcomes the recent statement from Minister for Education, Norma Foley, announcing adjustments to the 2023 State Examinations.

The adjustments, announced as a result of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, will include changes similar to those announced in August 2021 but updated as relevant.  

Speaking on the announcement, Uachtarán of the ISSU, Caitlin-Faye Maniti, said: “The ISSU welcomes the announcement from Minister Foley, regarding adjustments to the 2023 State Examinations. We are glad that this announcement was released promptly, delivering clarity for the Class of 2023. These compensations, which the ISSU advocated for and that were agreed upon across the table by educational stakeholders, are vital to giving students the opportunity to put their best foot forward. These students can now walk into school on Monday morning with some certainty of how their exam will be run”

ISSU Education Officer, Jack McGinn, added: “The ISSU was delighted to continue our work on the Advisory Group for the State Examinations 2022, due to the success of the group in 2021 and 2020 in providing solutions and clarity to the issues our entire school community faced under the threat of COVID-19. The adjustments announced today are recognising the disruption our new exam year students faced over the last two years. We would like to thank Minister Foley, the Department of Education and Skills, the State Examinations Commission, and our fellow educational stakeholders for working together to swiftly implement a plan for the Leaving Certificate, and Junior Cycle students of 2023.”

More information regarding the adjustments will be issued to schools over the coming weeks. The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union wishes all students receiving their results today the very best of luck, support is available at https://www.issu.ie/help should you need it.