A Dungarvan principal says reaction has been mixed to the news that there will be no hybrid Leaving and Junior Cert in 2022.

Education Minister Norma Foley said yesterday that students will sit a traditional Leaving Cert with "some elements of choice" under new plans approved by Cabinet.

There's been a backlash to the decision from opposition politicians, with Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty described the plans as “absolutely the wrong decision.” “It should be reversed immediately,” he said.

But what has been the reaction from students in Waterford?

Maria McCann discussed the issue on this morning's Déise Today with Michael O'Sullivan, principal of St Augustine's College in Dungarvan.

He told Maria that what's most important at the moment is that students have some kind of certainty, but he added that "the devil will be in the detail next week" when more information is released.

He said in general the feelings on it are mixed, with Michael reporting that some students are happy and others disappointed. He said from an educator's point of view, all they can do is trust in the system.

"There won't be a Leaving Cert in which there is a small number of H1s, or maximum points this year, at least that's what the Minister (Norma Foley) is indicating, time will tell I suppose," Michael said to Maria.

He also praised the Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students at St Augustines in Dungarvan,  who he says have handled the uncertainty of the last couple of years really well, adding that there will be "a knock on effect from Covid for the next ten or 12 years."

He  assured students that teachers will support them no matter what, and they will do their best for Leaving and Junior Cert students.

Have a listen to Michael's discussion with Maria, through the link in this podcast.

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