While the clear preference of the TUI was always that the written examinations would proceed, the Union recognised that this was not possible due to the public health emergency and members engaged with the Calculated Grades system so that our students would have a mechanism to progress to the next phase of their lives.
From the earliest stages of its engagements with the other stakeholders on the Calculated Grades process, the TUI demanded and got an assurance from the Department that the system would not involve school profiling and that the level of achievement of every student, irrespective of their school or of socioeconomic background, would be fairly reflected in the Calculated Grades they secure.
We note the Minister’s announcement on these and related matters today and we trust that no student will be disadvantaged by the Calculated Grades process or by circumstances outside their control.
It is important to state once again that implementation of these measures on an emergency basis will not and cannot be regarded as a precedent.
In addition, we welcome the provision of 1,250 additional CAO places in Higher Education Institutions, including Institutes of Technology. in Higher Education Institutions, including Institutes of Technology.