A DONEGAL senator has
called for reform of the Leaving Certificate exams
as more than 2,000 students in the county yesterday
collected their results.
Sinn Féin’s Senator Pearse Doherty wished all the
pupils well but severely criticised the examination
and called for a new system of continuous
assessment.
“Leaving Cert' results morning is yet another
traumatic day for our young students to endure.
There has been a considerable amount of hype whipped
up around Leaving Cert' time and this has put an
evident strain on young students," he said.
Senator Doherty said a process of continual
assessment in all subjects would relieve students of
the annual two-weeks of intense examinations.
“The current situation is flawed whereby students
are pitted against one another in the race for
limited third level courses. The playing field is
unfair as students from well off backgrounds can
invariably afford to attend so-called elite
fee-paying schools and can afford grinds.
"This educational rat-race is a representation of
our capitalist society," he said, adding that young
teenagers should not be forced to suffer "sleepless
nights" to secure their educational futures.
“Students should be empowered by education and enjoy
their experience instead of having to endure
sleepless nights cramming or fretting about what
topics will come up in the one-off exams that may
determine their future options.
“While urgent action needs to be taken regarding
Mathematics and Science subjects, it is heartening
to see an increase in higher level Irish language
students.” |
