Sir, - I wish to strongly disagree with the comment in the papers that the points system is the "fairest" at present for our students. This system depends on results taken from a single set of exams, sat over a two to three week period and without any reference to the possibilities of either sickness or any other external influence on the ability of a student to impart the relevant information to an examiner. It is therefore completely possible for a student who has successively achieved high marks in all previous examinations and assessments, and who is thought of as a perfect student and potential graduate, to fail miserably because of the stress of the Leaving Certificate, or that their pet died or that their boyfriend/girlfriend left them etc.
Ireland has recently seen exactly this scenario in our sporting achievements, when the media and sports commentators pronounced it a foregone conclusion, that Sonia O'Sullivan, based on all her previous wins, would claim at least one Olympic Gold Medal Fate however, had a different plan, and Sonia was not at her best physical level on the days when it mattered. Had these been the exam days for the Leaving certificate, she would be now debating a career in another area than the one she had hoped for, striven for, and shown such promise for.
Any system, be it in sport, education, or business, which uses a single moment in time to base its accolades on, is flawed. Life does not see people in such black and white terms: our views of people are based on their reputations, their demeanour, the way they live their life, and their achievements. I would hope that someday, before any children I might have face the Points Race, that someone finds a better way than this to assess students' potential. If not, the Points Race will continue to feed into the Rat Race?
Yours, etc.,
Ballyowen Green,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.