New Leaving Certificate subject specifications were introduced in September 2025 to all Irish schools in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each student is now tasked with undertaking their own “Additional Assessment Component” (AAC) – a laboratory-based research investigation, worth 40 per cent, in each subject. The report recommended that the 40 per cent allocation to the AAC laboratory-based research investigation be reduced to 20 per cent. It has recommended that targeted capital investment be provided to bring all post-primary school science laboratories and associated facilities up to an agreed national standard. “Teachers welcome the intent to foster genuine scientific inquiry, but the proposed 40 per cent laboratory-based research investigations simply cannot be delivered safely or fairly in most Irish schools today,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times February 23, 2026 19:32 UTC