Leaving Cert: Schools confident students will respect Covid measures as exams get under way Some 55,000 students expected to sit written exams, which begin today
about 9 hours ago
All desks must be at least two metres apart and in well-ventilated areas. Photograph: Laura Hutton
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School principals believe students will abide by safety measures that ban them from presenting for exams if they are required to self-isolate for Covid-19 reasons.
Almost 90 per cent of the 61,500 Leaving Cert candidates have opted to sit written exams, which begin on Wednesday across at about 800 schools and other venues.
âIt impacts on your mental health . . . when you come in here to school and thereâs 1,000 students, you can talk to people; whereas at home, youâre in your bedroom for seven or eight hours, with very little social contact.â
Amid the lockdown students like Ben Malone (19) ended up on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19. He volunteers with the Order of Malta, which has been supporting the Health Servic e Executive in the public health response.
âIt was busy and a real step up, working in the back of the ambulance in full PPE [personal protective equipment]. It was weird, but a fantastic experience and I learned a lot of new skills.â