BREAKING: Restrictions in place for another three weeks - Leaving Cert Exams postponed until July, Junior Cert cancelled
- Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announces the restriction will be in place for another three weeks - May 5th - after Bank Holiday Weekend
- Leaving Cert exams postponed until late July/early August, Junior Cert exams cancelled
- Garda powers to enforce regulations will be extended - "It's not our intention to turn Ireland into a police state," says Varadkar.
ANN CASEY
The Covid-19 lockdown is set to continue to until 5th May while the Leaving Certificate examinations will take place in late July or early August.
Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar announced that the lockddown will continue for another three weeks at a press conference in Dublin this afternoon.
Education Minister Joe McHugh said the Leaving Cert will go ahead in late summer, while the Junior Cert has been cancelled and the schools will remain closed until further notice.
Mr Varadkar thanked the public for the sacrifices they have made so far, but said the restrictions needed to be extended to further slow the spread of the virus.
“I know many of us would like to know when things will go back to normal, and life will be as it was. We are working towards that time. And we're planning carefully so that we get there safely. “The truth is, nobody knows for certain when that will be or how our lives will be different when it comes. All we can do for now is take one day at a time, think of others, and choose hope and solidarity over self interest,” he said.
A Garda checkpoint in Navan this week.
Minister McHugh said plans were being put in place for the postponed Leaving Certificate examinations to begin in the last week of July or early August, subject to public health advice.
Junior Cycle final examinations due to take place in June will be replaced by school-based exams and assessments held early in the new school year.
Practical examinations for Leaving Certificate students which were due to have been held in May are deferred. They will be rescheduled for late July/early August. The new Leaving Certificate exam timetable will be confirmed in early June.
Minister McHugh said: “All decisions we are taking in relation to rescheduling exams are based on current public health advice and put the best interests of students first. The welfare of students and that of their families is front and centre in all decision making.
“The final arrangements for the exams, the exam centres, social distancing and other measures will all be determined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) on foot of public health advice in June.
Health Minister, Simon Harris said that doctors can save hundreds of lives, but the public have done so much to save thousands of lives in the past two weeks.
Edited extracts from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's statement.
"I know that many people are feeling frustrated, captive. And I know the fine weather makes it even harder. We all want to be outside. We want to be your friends and family. Who wants to see the mountains and the sea. We want to feel that we can go anywhere. We want to be free. And I know it is very difficult, but every sacrifice that we make is helping to save lives. Because, making sure that our health service is not overwhelmed. It's making things easier for those working on the front line. And those backing them up, whether it's support staff, administrators, or partners at home.
Because the vast majority of people have heeded the advice of the experts, we've been able to interrupt the spread of the virus. We've been able to shelter, the most vulnerable and protect them. Your sacrifices are making a difference. We've slowed the spread of the virus considerably. But unfortunately we have not stopped that spread. We all know people who are suffering. Too many have died. And sadly more will die and get sick before this is over. So today's message is that we cannot be complacent. And we cannot lose focus.
What we're doing is difficult, but is making a difference. And we have to keep going. We need to persevere. And we need to maintain our discipline and resolve the restrictions we introduced two weeks ago were set to expire on Sunday. Today the expert recommendation is to extend them for further three weeks until Tuesday, May 5.
I know many of us would like to know when things will go back to normal, and life will be as it was. We are working towards that time. And we're planning carefully so that we get there safely. The truth is, nobody knows for certain when that will be our how our lives will be different when it comes. All we can do for now is take one day at a time. Stick to others, and choose hope and solidarity.
So I'm calling on everyone to do what is asked for them to be tolerant and compassion is to think about each other before we think about ourselves.
Stay strong. Stay safe, and stay at home. Thank you very much.
Education Minister Joe McHugh confirmed the cancellation of the Junior Cert exams and postponement of the Leaveing Cert exams.
"Today I am taking a number of steps in relation to school reopening and state examinations designed to give students, parents, teachers and the wider education community, certainty.
I am acting as quickly as possible in light of the updated public health advice, as I know for that for many parents and students, especially exam year students, the most important issue now is clarity on the path ahead. These decisions have been taken in the best interests of our children, or young people, our school, and our wider society.
"As part of the wider public health measure schools will remain closed until further notice. We will only take the step to reopen schools, when the public health advice, assures us that it is appropriate to do so. I appreciate the efforts that parents around the country are making to teach the children at home. The work of teachers and lecturers, to continue education and the difficulties faced by all or young people in this situation.
Junior cycle final examinations to take place in June, will be replaced by school based exams and assessments, held early in the new school year. Discussions will take place with teacher teachers unions and school management to allow this unique arrangement take place and what is a response to a national crisis.
"We are postponing Leaving Certificate examinations to begin in the last week of July, or early August, subject to public health advice.
"Practical examinations for Leaving Certificate students, students which would have been held in May, or deferred. They will be rescheduled for late July, early August,
The new Leaving Certificate exam timetable will be confirmed in early June, our preference continues to be to give the leading students of 2020, the opportunity to sit their exams and complete their secondary school education. It is vitally important that these Leaving Cert students have some class-based school time before facing into exams and will give students an opportunity to refocus and teachers an opportunity to reassure a mentor in advance of the exams, we are working with our education partners, the teacher unions, and the school management bodies to make that a reality.
'All decisions were taken in relation to rescheduling exams are based on current public health advice and put the best interests of students first, the welfare of students and that of the families is front and center in all decision making.
"Students and their families have been seeking clarity. Today's announcement addresses that, and also provides them with several weeks of advance notice to prepare for the examinations. I hope it helps to alleviate alleviate some stress been experienced by students and their families. At this time, I want to take this opportunity to recognise and thank our education partners for their engagement in this type of national crisis. I know that you have had to deal with many unforeseen challenges and stresses over the last few weeks, a few weeks, Today's decision allows you time to take a break over Easter to read, to rest and to recharge. Take care of yourselves, use your time wisely and make sure to take a further break in June."