The Higher Education Minister Simon Harris says the current Leaving Cert system does not prepare students for life beyond school.
The Oireachtas Education Committee is meeting today to discuss reforming the Leaving Certificate.
Minister Harris has told the committee that subjects and skills taught will also need to change, not just the exams themselves.
He says important life skills are not being taught in schools.
He said: "The current system does not prepare a student for life beyond education.
"It doesn't always teach students about financial literacy, or about digital skills. It doesn't, bizarrely, teach children properly about sex education and consent - and we find ourselves in the higher education system playing catch-up.
"We know that some schools are passionate about education in the round but this is not universal across our country’s schools.
"I believe it should be as such skills would help our students transition to the third level system or employment."
Minister Harris suggested there's a need for a "fair and consistent assessment system" so students receive regular feedback and can make "reliable choices".
He said it's also vital students are given a chance to develop their STEM, ICT and language skills.
A number of groups have called for major reform of the Leaving Cert system, with People Before Profit suggesting the current process is a "hurdle" or "obstacle" to some people accessing third-level education.
