Ireland's Leaving Certificate Reforms Spark Debate

Ireland’s government is pushing forward with reforms to the Leaving Certificate — the country’s key secondary school graduation exam — with a plan to introduce continuous assessment alongside traditional final exams.

The reform, part of the Department of Education’s long-term vision for modernizing the Irish school system, is designed to reduce stress among students and better evaluate a broader range of skills. However, the proposed timeline has been met with resistance from teacher unions, who cite concerns over workload, resource limitations, and rushed implementation.

The Irish Secondary Teachers’ Union (ASTI) has threatened industrial action if adequate consultation and support are not provided. Despite the controversy, the government insists that change is necessary to align Irish secondary education with international best practices and enhance student readiness for higher education and the workforce.