MORE AND MORE schools are offering out of hours, supervised study facilities for students who are sitting their Junior and Leaving Certificate exams.

Teachers cite poorly soundproofed modern houses, noisy siblings and the attractions of television as reasons for the growing popularity of supervised study.

"We began to offer supervised study to third and sixth years six years ago, as a result of pressure from the students," says Pat Hunt, who teaches at Loreto College, Bray, Co Wicklow. Now 120 students have signed on and paid £20 a term to avail of the facilities for two hours after school, four nights a week.

"No students is asked to join the group - it's purely voluntary - yet we have had to increase our facilities to cope with the demand," he says.

"Teenagers like some discipline and structure in their lives. After school study is supervised, strict and controlled and the students appreciate it."

St Angela's School, Ursuline Convent, Waterford, now has four study halls in operation after school. "We offer study facilities to third, fifth and sixth years. More students would avail of it if we had the space," the principal, Sister June Fennelly, says.

Students, she adds, appreciate the quiet, controlled atmosphere that enables them to concentrate. "But most of them will then go home and do up to four hours' further study."

However, many teachers regret the need for such facilities. "It's a growing phenomenon, Hunt says. "It's a sign of the times. Children are under such pressure that they will avail of any opportunity they can.