Home-educated and out-of-school students risk exclusion from the reformed Senior Cycle process in Ireland. The Department of Education must provide Equal Access to the Leaving Certificate for home educated students and out-of-school learners

Starting with the current fifth year cohort (2025/2026), subjects such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Business include new Additional Assessment Components (AACs) worth 40% of the final grade.

AACs require classroom-based work under teacher supervision and authentication, making them inaccessible to students outside the school system.

Previously, these subjects were assessed entirely by written exams, which were accessible to all learners.

Background

This change potentially violates Article 42 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which guarantees parents the right to home educate their children.

The Supreme Court ruling in Burke v Minister for Education (2022) affirmed that home educated students must have equitable access to state assessments.

Despite repeated engagement since February 2025, the Department of Education and State Examinations Commission have provided no clear guidance.

A Freedom of Information request submitted in early June 2025 revealed no evidence that home-educated students’ rights were considered during the reform process.

Concerns

Immediate intervention is needed to ensure home-educated and out-of-school learners can access the Leaving Certificate on an equal basis.

Clear guidelines must be issued urgently, as many students have already begun fifth year without clarity on their eligibility.

We are calling on the Minister for Education to provide access to the Leaving Certificate for all students, including those who are educated at home, outside of the mainstream school system.

Call to Action

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