Opposition parties have insisted that any alternative system to the Leaving Cert exams must be fair to students and ensure equal access to third-level education.

Cabinet ministers are expected to approve an alternative plan for the Leaving Cert this morning.

It is understood the examinations will be cancelled and be replaced with a system of predictive grades.

It is believed that students who are not happy with the grades they are given will be allowed sit an exam, although the exams may not be held until early 2021 if coronavirus restrictions remain in place.

An official announcement on the plans is expected this afternoon.

Sixth-year student Niamh O'Brien doesn't believe the proposed system will be fair.

She observed: "The whole benefit of the Leaving Cert was that it was transparent, and you didn't know the person correcting you.

"Now it's based on a person you used to see every day, and they have your opinion on you.

"I just think students have a lot more to give than their mock results and class tests."

Fianna Fáil education spokesperson Thomas Byrne had called for the cancellation of the exams, and welcomed the news last night that they are now set to be called off.

He said public health "must come before tradition", but said the Department of Education "must explain exactly how the new system will fairly work".

Social Democrats Gary Gannon said any alternative to exams must "create an equality of access for students from non traditional backgrounds to enter third level on equal terms to all others".

He suggested it was "a huge opportunity" to expand college access programmes for 2020.

Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire welcomed the 'end to the indecision', but again raised concerns about the prospect of predictive grades.

He yesterday proposed a 'multi-metric test' that would include the likes of aptitude tests, online subject-based oral exams and assignments based on course work.

'Work has not been wasted'

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, guidance counsellor Brian Mooney said it's important for students to remember their efforts have not been wasted if the exams don't go ahead.

He observed: "If we are, according to the media, looking at a combination of all the work you have been perceived to have done as well as criteria such as Junior Cert results to get a baseline... [your work] has not been wasted. It has all been very useful."

He said that any system we put in place now "is never going to have the same fairness and transparency as putting everybody down in front of the same exam paper", but says in the current situation it is likely the right decision to call off the exams.

Mr Mooney acknowledged that a teacher's perception of a student could be a shortcoming of the proposals.

However, he hopes any concerns will be able to be "ironed out" in the interest of students.

Main image: File photo. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie