Leaving Certificate students who suffer a bereavement during exam season will be given a chance to sit the exams in July.
This was announced this morning by the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh after a review was carried out looking into the support given to students suffering loss during the exam period.
The minister called for a review of the issue after hearing an interview with student Rhona Butler talking about losing her mother during exams.
The Tipperary 19-year-old student Rhona lost her mum three exams into her Leaving Cert and still finished the remaining few.
Her mum Margaret died on June 13 after a battle with breast cancer.
Minister Joe McHugh said: “I called for the review of this issue after hearing the compelling interview of Rhona Butler with Ryan Tubridy several months ago.
"I want to thank Rhona again for highlighting this issue and demonstrating how we should look after and support students who have suffered a loss.
“The death of a loved one is a deeply traumatic event for any young person, which will only be compounded if it occurs in the midst of exams.”
Rhona said in her interview: “I started my Leaving Cert on June 6 and she died a week later on June 13.
“Luckily I didn’t have any exams that day so I got to spend the day with her.
“She died at around 10pm on Wednesday and I had to be in school at 8.30am on Thursday to do an exam.”
She explained to Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio One that if she didn’t show up for the exams, it was her problem and not the school or Department’s.
She said: “The Department see us as exam numbers and they need to see that we’re people beyond that.
“There needs to be a bereavement process in place for people because I wasn’t the first and I won’t be the last.”
The scheme that is being introduced will allow a student to be absent from exams for three days of the exam timetable and will commence from the day of death including the day after the funeral.
The alternative sittings will take place over five days from July 8 to July 12.
Minister McHugh added: “The Leaving Certificate plays a hugely important role in our education system and in the progression of our young people. We have a duty to take reasonable measures to support young people who suffer loss at such an important time for them.
“My hope is that the new initiative will go a small way to easing the burden and stress of bereavement and giving students space to focus on their family.”
