Sir, – Having gone through the Leaving Certificate process and as a newly qualified teacher, I find the day of the Leaving Certificate results highly frustrating. The media seems to become a circus surrounding the greatness of the achievements of the all-A1 student.
While I don’t begrudge them their achievement, I would like to know, where is the media coverage for the rest of the hard- working students? The work, dedication and determination of those who struggle all through their schooling, for various reasons, go unnoticed. Where is the praise for the pupil who seemed destined to fail yet managed to pass every subject they sat?
Why aren’t the students who achieved all D3 grades, against all odds, receiving the recognition they deserve? They are an inspiration to the many pupils who feel they can’t achieve. Are these results not an equal greatness and achievement to be celebrated? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Once again the Leaving Cert failure rate (10 per cent this year) in maths is what draws the main response from various media commentators, college heads and the Minister for Education.
I would have thought a “90 per cent” pass rate worthy of more positive comment! We also have the annual call/proposal to increase the points awarded to those taking higher maths.
If there is a problem, I would have thought that the 10 per cent failure rate needs to be looked at more closely. Surely by lowering the failure rate through better teaching and more resources, this would thereby improve the pass rate. It is equally annoying to hear again trotted out the fact that only about 45 per cent of those teaching maths have proper qualifications in the subject, implying that it is somehow the teachers’ fault, this despite the 90 per cent pass rate in the subject.
I also note that most of the pupils interviewed managed to get in a word of praise for their teachers, something that very few, if any, of the various commentators, college heads or indeed the Minister managed to do.
Assuming that those achieving higher grades in maths hear the mostly negative comments directed towards teachers, is it any wonder that they choose careers other than teaching?
Furthermore, according to your statistics, the percentage of candidates achieving A, B and C grades at Higher Level in Irish and, for example French, is roughly as it is in maths and yet there is no call to increase the points awarded in these subjects. Strange! – Yours, etc,
A chara, – So another Leaving Cert with poor results in maths and the sciences. 92 per cent of primary schools are under religious patronage who shape the educational style and ethos of their schools. Religious thinking does not necessitate or nurture any logical skills. In fact, it actively encourages the opposite – faith. Why should we expect high standards in maths and the sciences when the majority of primary schools are openly telling young learning minds it is possible to reach conclusions on matters of truth without any analytical scientific or mathematical thinking? – Is mise,
Sir, – Minimum Entry Requirements for Bachelor of Education (primary school teaching) is Leaving Certificate examination(s) with Grade C3 in Higher Level Irish, Grade C3 in English Ordinary Level or D3 Higher Level, Grade D3 in Mathematics (either Ordinary or Higher Level).
Is it not obvious why Irish school children perform poorly in mathematics in the Leaving Certificate? Maybe it’s time to reverse the minimum requirements for Bachelor of Education to Grade C3 in Higher Level Mathematics and Grade D3 in Irish (either Ordinary or Higher Level). – Yours, etc,