When in Rome - students happy with classics exams

JUNIOR CERT CLASSICAL STUDIES LATIN: ALL LEVELS JULIUS CAESAR appeared yesterday, much to the delight of the 655 students taking the Junior Certificate classical studies exam. "On the whole, this was a reasonable paper that students could live with," said Jim O'Dea, an ASTI subject representative and teacher at Rathdown School in Glenageary, Co Dublin.

"This year's question on the Acropolis in Athens was easier than in previous years," he continued.

"Students also enjoyed the question on Julius Caesar."

A question on Mycenae was regarded as rather difficult, however. The paper was complimented on the quality of the imagery, which made the experience of the exam more pleasant for students, according to one teacher.

The ordinary level paper was also well-received by students.

Yesterday's Latin exam, taken by 423 students, was "pleasing" and "predictable".

Hannibal came up for the second successive year, and a question on Roman weddings was described as "lovely".

Classical studies and Latin are not widely taught in Irish schools.

However, the Classical Association of Ireland is developing an academy to allow students from schools that do not offer these subjects to take them for the Junior and Leaving Certificates. The service should be available from September of this year.