Supervising the Leaving Cert

Madam, – Can it be true that “The supervisors walk up and down the hall for the first part of the exam but soon enough they …

Madam, – Can it be true that “The supervisors walk up and down the hall for the first part of the exam but soon enough they sit down and read or talk to each other. Half the time they wouldn’t be looking at you at all.” (Exam Times, June 17th)? I have acted as exam invigilator at Tralee IT for many years. The rules for invigilators are rightly very strict. Soft-soled shoes must be worn so that invigilators may walk about without making noise. Invigilators must walk about discreetly and, when standing, ever keep their attention on students. Students are accompanied to the bathroom and note kept of the amount of time the student has spent out of the examination hall.

In my years of invigilating at Tralee IT I have never known a student to cheat at exams.

Lest it be thought that invigilators at Tralee IT are stern-faced and merciless I assure you that nothing but kindness is shown to the students while they are sitting examinations. – Yours, etc,

MARY G JOHNSON,

Oakpark Demesne,

Tralee, Co Kerry.