Madam, – As a 17-year-old student who will be sitting the Leaving Cert next year, I am completely opposed to Brian Canavan’s idea of raising the age to sit the Leaving Cert (June 4th).
The imbalance of authority, equality and choice in the school environment inhibits the maturation process – a young person is far more capable of maturing and figuring out what path they want to follow when they are in third-level education, which is when they really learn to think for themselves.
Although many students enjoy their second-level education, by the time they have spent five or six years there, most are eager to move on to either the world of work or a third-level institution.
Mr Canavan seems to be under the impression that by choosing a particular third-level course, a student is therefore choosing their future career. In fact, those students who choose very specific courses, such as medicine, usually have a good idea of what they want to do – those who don’t are advised to do a general course that will leave them with a variety of career opportunities.
Mr Canavan’s point about the “flawed advice” he received was the fault of his career guidance teacher – not the education system. Raising the age of the Leaving Cert would cause outrage among students, who are already gearing up to be treated as young adults. It could also result in an increased number of young people leaving school without the appropriate qualifications.
The majority of fifth and sixth year students look forward to the end of school, and to the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead – don’t make them wait. – Yours, etc,