Ruane orders Chemistry A level investigation

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane MLA has ordered an external investigation into how incorrect results for the Chemistry A level were issued last week.

The Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment, CCEA, has just announced that many students who sat the Chemistry A level had been advised of incorrect grades.

The Education Minister said: "While I have been advised that no young person should miss out on their university place, this scenario should have never arisen. This failure in the CCEA marking process has caused stress and inconvenience to the young people involved and their families, and I very much regret that.

“While I acknowledge the immediate and unequivocal apology from CCEA, the body has clearly fallen short of the high standards of accuracy the public and I, as Minister, expect of a public examinations body.

“I was advised of this failure on Friday evening. I asked for an urgent interim report which I received today, Monday. I will study the report carefully over the following days. Early indications suggest that the systems in place were not adhered to, but I would prefer to await the findings of the external investigation before commenting further on this aspect.

“My officials and I engaged with CCEA over the weekend to ensure that appropriate steps were taken to mitigate the immediate impact of this failure involving the marking of the Chemistry A level multiple choice paper.

“CCEA has advised me that it has rechecked the multiple choice papers of all the A level results released last week. They have also rechecked the multiple choice papers for the GCSE results due to be released tomorrow, Tuesday.

“CCEA has contacted the relevant schools and colleges to apprise them of what happened and to advise on the correct grades for the young people affected. CCEA has set up a dedicated helpline to deal with enquiries regarding the chemistry A level. The CCEA helpline number is 028 9026 1403. Also, my Department will be assisting in every possible way.

“In addition, CCEA is working with UCAS and the Central Admissions Office in the south. I am advised by CCEA that they do not believe any candidate will miss out on a university place as a result of this failure.

“A full external investigation will be carried out to determine how the failure occurred. I will ensure that the findings and recommendations of this investigation are made public.

“At this stage I have briefed Reg Empey MLA, Minister for Employment and Learning, given his responsibility for higher education. I will also be speaking to Mary Coughlan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills.”

Notes to editors:

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