Irish Times, June 6th.

Some thoughts on the Leaving Cert

Sir, – Finn McRedmond’s praise for the generalist Leaving Certificate ignores what students experience daily in our schools. (“The Leaving Cert is dense, demanding and far superior to the UK’s A-levels,” June 4th).

In more than 25 years as a secondary school principal and career guidance counsellor, I have seen students do best when they can choose subjects that suit their interests, strengths and ambitions, rather than being constrained by a narrow view of education.

A broad education is important, especially in the early years of school. By senior cycle, however, many students are ready to build on their strengths. After junior cycle and transition year, most have a clear sense of their abilities and interests. Yet the Leaving Certificate often restricts rather than supports that progress.

Why should a student with a strong aptitude for science be unable to study, for example physics, chemistry, biology and computer science because of timetabling, subject blocks, or compulsory Irish and English?

Why should students have to take three languages to meet college entry requirements when other subjects would better support their future study and careers?

The Leaving Certificate requirement to study Irish is the clearest example. Students who value the language should be encouraged to engage with it more deeply through Irish culture, literature and heritage. That would promote real proficiency and appreciation.

Instead, thousands must study Irish to exam level despite having little interest in it. This benefits neither the language nor the student.

We should also consider the pressure created by an exam system that pushes students into subjects they do not enjoy and burdens them with multiple papers for the same subject, oral and aural exams.

Senior-cycle education should not force every student into the same academic model. It should help young people identify and develop their strengths.

Students who study subjects they enjoy are more likely to succeed, move into the right college course or apprenticeship, and make a stronger contribution to society.

Before celebrating the Leaving Certificate as a model of general education, we should ask students what they want. In my experience, they value the freedom to pursue the subjects that interest them most and best prepare them for the future they hope to build. – Yours, etc,

MICHEÁL LANDERS,

Belgooly,

Co Cork.