Sir, - Teachers of music around the country are pleased with the positive results in this year's Leaving Certificate which finally show a more realistic distribution of grades commensurate with the effort made by students. Congratulations to all students for such hard work. For many years we have been pointing out that the subject was out of step with others at this level. A combination of a new syllabus and renewed enthusiasm has seen a remarkable increase in the number of students taking the subject, a subject which is perhaps more deeply related to our unique cultural heritage than any other.
Enthusiasm and good will, however, will last among teachers only for a limited time. The good results we see this week may slip back again if resources are not provided to our schools and training to our teachers. The new syllabus includes a large practical element with new categories such as music technology requiring equipment and training. As a major contributor to the Irish economy, the music industry is looking for well-trained, skilled workers in all areas. Leaving Certificate music is seen by the industry as a good preparation for such work.
Music teachers are aware of the improvements in recent years through the efforts of the Department of Education and Science. We feel it is time now to consolidate these efforts, to recognise the subject fully as "practical" and all that implies, to take a lead in the area of recommending and providing resources, particularly in the provision of instruments and computer hardware and software, and to organise a sustained and ongoing programme of "on-the-job" training. Without such action, the good work may be undone at the expense of our students. - Yours, etc.,
Christopher Kinder, Chair, Post-Primary, Music Teachers' Association, Lucan, Co Dublin.