More than 400 Junior and Leaving Cert examiners found in breach of protocol

In the last six years of correcting exams, a total of 404 examiners have broken the strict rules set in place.

The State Examinations Commission were forced to fire numerous exam correctors because of their actions. According to The Irish Times, 30 examiners were sacked in the last year while 53 examiners were found to have broken protocol correcting both the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams. Up to 404 examiners were found to have acted in a breach in the last six years, where 133 got a formal warning, 85 were denoted to a lower level in their chosen marking subjects and 186 were given the sack from their position. Breaking protocol in the area of correcting exams can vary from threatening the confidentiality of exam candidates, missing deadlines to return exam scripts, not completing all paperwork properly, making mistakes in calculating marks A spokesperson for the SEC has spoken of what happens to many examiners upon breaking strict protocol:

"Examiners who are reappointed at a lower level in the respective subjects typically mark less demanding material such as Junior as opposed to Leaving Certificate, and Foundation or Ordinary, as opposed to Higher level scripts and would also have their new work subject to closer oversight."

The work of examiners is supervised by an advising examiner and are trained extensively in the form of the marking scheme.