The "Exam Times" report in the editions of June 24th included opinions by music teachers that questions on the higher level paper of Junior Cert music departed from the syllabus. A spokesman for the Department of Education has pointed out that all questions on the paper were within the parameters of the syllabus. The spokesman added that opinions reported on June 24th were not typical of the general response to the examination and that the new programmes at both Junior and Leaving certificate levels have generated a very favourable response from both teachers and pupils.