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Student challenges refusal to allow private tutors input into calculated grades

Student challenges refusal to allow private tutors input into calculated grades
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A Leaving Certificate student's High Court challenge over a refusal to allow private tutors assist in assessing his calculated grades will not be heard until July 2nd.

The boy, who cannot be named, had received private tutoring because he had not been attending his school after refusing to obey a requirement that he wear a face mask in the common areas.

Two weeks ago his challenge to the mask-wearing requirement failed, but a separate issue of whether his school's teachers can assess his accredited grades with the help of the private tutors has yet to be heard.

Migrane claim

He claimed prolonged mask-wearing agitated his migraine. He was not required to do so in the classroom, as he was provided with a perspex screen.

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The boy, suing through his mother, was refused permission by the court two weeks ago to bring a challenge against the State Examination Commission and the Minister for Education and Skills over the mask-wearing requirement.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan said the mother, who personally represented him, had not presented any independent medical evidence to support the migraine claim. She had failed to establish minimum requirements for an arguable case, and he refused leave to bring proceedings on that issue.

Tutors

The separate matter of allowing the tutors input into his calculated grades - assessed by the school's teachers where the student chooses not to sit the exams - was adjourned.

The Department of Education told his mother that, as a registered student in a post-primary school, he can only receive estimated percentage marks from his full-time teachers and not from tutors giving extra tuition outside school.

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On Wednesday, Mr Justice Meenan said the only date available for the court to deal with the outstanding matter is July 2nd.

The boy's mother told the judge there was a difficulty if the matter goes past the end of June with regard to talking to the school's teachers.

The judge said July 2nd was the only date available for the case.

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