Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East Anne Rabbitte has written to the Minister for Education calling on him to instruct his Department to introduce a ‘No Detriment Policy’ to ease pressure on third level students who are completing their semesters remotely.

She explained:

I have been contacted by students from Galway who are extremely worried about their exams given the events of recent weeks.  With all campuses closed, they have limited access to books and journals and the cost of finding these online is expensive.

 

There have been limitations placed on the ability of students to study for exams. While also dealing with the stress of exam preparation they have to had to contend with an unprecedented global pandemic and the abrupt changes that has brought to everyday life.

Deputy Rabbitte continued:

A number of universities in the UK have introduced a No Detriment Policy; this ensures that as long as a student passes their exams this year, this grade will not negatively impact their overall result. In other words, the average grade students have achieved to date will remain the same, may be improved but not reduced.

Deputy Rabbitte concluded:

I believe our own third level institutions should adopt a similar approach to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves. I will pursue this policy and am looking forward to the response from the Minister for Education.