Q&A

Q: What exactly does an ECG technician do precisely and where can I train for this? What is the syllabus like? I believe I can get into a training curse without having very high points and that I could get a good job?

- Waterford student

A: You can enter training as an ECG technician by having a Leaving Cert with two science subjects from any of biology, physics, chemistry or by having a suitable NCEA qualification. Your training takes place in the cardiac department of selected hospitals. In your case Waterford Regional Hospital would be the most convenient.

In year one, you take the exam of the Associated Membership Syllabus (ASCT) and progress to years two and three where you take the medical physics and physiological measurement certificate (MPPM) which is run in DIT. In year four, you take the membership of the Society of Cardiological Technicians (MSCT).

Since last month the structure of the course ASCT/MPPM is being combined to run a full-time four-year degree and in-service training in selected hospitals. The work includes interpreting the electrical activity of the heart from electrocardiogram (ECG), stress testing, echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), ultrasound technology, cardiac catheterisation.

Job opportunities are good because of a current shortage of qualified experienced technicians.

Q: I live in Germany with my family and am 22 years old. I did my International Baccalaureate in 1995. I'd like to return to university in Dublin in autumn 1998 to do an arts degree in German and English. I'd like to go to TCD but would consider other possibilities in the Dublin region? What are they?

- Stuttgart reader

A: German and English are available as arts subjects in the following colleges in the Dublin area: NUI Maynooth, NUI Dublin (UCD) and TCD. It's not clear if you wish to apply on the basis of your Leaving Cert or your Bacc. Let's take the Leaving Cert first: for matriculation in the two NUI colleges you will need these subjects: Irish (because you were born in Ireland, except you have an exemption from NUI), English, another language and any other three subjects to include two higher Cs and four ordinary Ds. In addition NUI Maynooth requires HC3 in German for 1998 entry; for the TCD two subject moderatorship in English and German, you need English, Maths, another language and any other three subjects to include 3HCs and because you wish to take English you need HC3 in that and in German you need HC2. In addition, you will need whatever the required points will be for entry to each of these courses as will be published by CAO in August 1998.

However, if you hope to gain entry from the results of your Bacc, you will need an overall pass in the Bacc, which is 24 points and also a pass in particular subjects with specified grades for some colleges. For instance for your first preference choice in TCD, you would need three grade sixes at higher level to include German and English and three grade fours at subsidiary level to include maths.

For NUI Dublin, you are required to have an overall score of 30 points for consideration, which is in effect the same as TCD but with no specific grades required at higher or subsidiary level. NUI Maynooth requires a pass in English and in another language for matriculation but in addition requires a minimum of grade five in German and a grade three in English for this degree.

You say that you are 22 years old but, if you will be 23 by January 1st next, you may also apply as a mature student without having the normal matriculation requirements.

For TCD you need return the preliminary application forms to the Admissions Office by February 1st next and also apply to CAO by the same date. For the two NUI colleges you just apply to CAO directly by February 1st. You will then be considered under a different set of criteria.

I advise you to apply under both systems once you have checked that you meet the different sets of requirements. That way, you will maximise your chances of getting a place.

Q: Our child has been in the local national school since he started three years ago. His older brother had a serious difficulty with one teacher and the principal was informed. We thought it would be a good idea to ask if our second child could be placed in any other class rather than in this particular teacher's class. However, he has been placed there and we are very worried. What are our rights in this?

- Cork City parents

A: Every parent and child has rights as regards schooling. Since the school you mentioned has a huge intake, it would seem quite a logical approach for the principal to place your boy in any other class rather than in this particular teacher's class.

I understand from your letter that the matter involved was quite serious and that, while you brought this up with the teacher concerned as well as with he principal, you did not get any satisfaction. I also understand that you did not go any further with this at the time.

The best approach for you would be to write to the principal and the board of management outlining the previous situation and stating that at the very first indication of a similar one developing that you want your child out of that class. Make it clear that you had already asked the principal that the younger boy be placed in any other teacher's class last June.

If the difficulty re-emerges and the board of management is not acting positively on your request, you should ask for further help from the National Parents' Council (Primary Branch) and ask it to act as an impartial observer in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion.

It seems crazy that the principal who had an opportunity to avoid all this by managing the satisfactory placement of children into different class groups, would pursue a policy of deliberate obstruction. If all this fails, you could then ask the Department of Education to look into this immediately.

As a last resort, you could move your boys to another school. This would, of course, mean moving them out of your parish school and involve a much longer journey twice a day.

Questions can be answered only through this column and not by phone or post. Write to Sile Sheehy, Education & Living, The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 - or by e-mail to education@irish-times.ie