Today we saw many students get their desired results, and others left contemplating their future. The career choices and education choices of those who sat this year's exam, all depended on today's results. It's huge pressure to place on students, some as young as 16, and though the curriculum as moved away from the 100% exam model, it's not enough to resolve the problem.
The exams themselves aren't exactly the issue, they are pretty fair, and phased examination is now more reflective on how third level education operates. But it's the transition from second level to third level that's the problem. The points system does not give people a fair chance at achieving their desired third level course.
It's a very capitalist system, completely based on supply and demand. For example, if a course has 100 places and 300 people apply for it, then it's the top 100 grades that get into the course. So in 2018 a course may have been 400 points, but this year it could be 420. While the exact same course in a different university may only be 380 points, because less people applied. This is what leads to the value of a degree being determined by where it has been achieved from, even though the same course has been completed. It also means that a student who received 410 points today, may believe that they have achieved their course, only to find out that entry requires 420 points this year.
The curriculum for the leaving cert is also a problem. While the junior cert curriculum should remain the same, the leaving cert is in need of serious reform. Having three compulsory subjects in an examination that requires six, leaves very little room for students to choose suitable subjects. While lately contentious topics, the subjects of History and Gaeilge (my degree is in both BTW) should remain compulsory along with the variety of JC subjects, but our native language shouldn't be for LC.
There should be no compulsory subjects for the LC, not when people's entire future's depend on it. Why should anyone care if their doctor can quote Peig, or their architect knows the sub-plot of King Lear, or if their daughter's Irish teacher knows Pythagorus' Theorum? None of it is relevant. The compulsory subjects of Maths, Irish, and English are lightyears beyond the basics, from writing an equation for a bendy line, being able to read the pre-Christian Ogham, or knowing how to read 16th Century English literature, very few people have relevance for this. In my first year at the University of Limerick I studied Maths as an optional subject, honestly it was way easier than Leaving Cert Honours. I got an A at University level, and a D at LC Honours level, can anyone explain the need for this?
To reform the LC we need to reform third level requirements. For example, Engineering courses could require a minimum H4 in Maths and Technology, and O4 in any two science subjects. This example could apply to any courses, but the principal would be that you would have to pick between 4-6 subjects for the LC, which would allow you to select the field of your future career, while specifics could wait until the CAO process.
The JC could act as a basic exam for all subjects, to allow students to get a flavour of each, but then the LC would be the first step in getting a career. The points system would remain in place, but subject requirements for third level courses would make the points system a lot fairer. As it is, someone who gets 600 points in subjects like Geography, History, Business, can become a vet, while someone who got 400 points in science subjects can't. I know who I'd prefer to check on my dog.
The exams themselves aren't exactly the issue, they are pretty fair, and phased examination is now more reflective on how third level education operates. But it's the transition from second level to third level that's the problem. The points system does not give people a fair chance at achieving their desired third level course.
It's a very capitalist system, completely based on supply and demand. For example, if a course has 100 places and 300 people apply for it, then it's the top 100 grades that get into the course. So in 2018 a course may have been 400 points, but this year it could be 420. While the exact same course in a different university may only be 380 points, because less people applied. This is what leads to the value of a degree being determined by where it has been achieved from, even though the same course has been completed. It also means that a student who received 410 points today, may believe that they have achieved their course, only to find out that entry requires 420 points this year.
The curriculum for the leaving cert is also a problem. While the junior cert curriculum should remain the same, the leaving cert is in need of serious reform. Having three compulsory subjects in an examination that requires six, leaves very little room for students to choose suitable subjects. While lately contentious topics, the subjects of History and Gaeilge (my degree is in both BTW) should remain compulsory along with the variety of JC subjects, but our native language shouldn't be for LC.
There should be no compulsory subjects for the LC, not when people's entire future's depend on it. Why should anyone care if their doctor can quote Peig, or their architect knows the sub-plot of King Lear, or if their daughter's Irish teacher knows Pythagorus' Theorum? None of it is relevant. The compulsory subjects of Maths, Irish, and English are lightyears beyond the basics, from writing an equation for a bendy line, being able to read the pre-Christian Ogham, or knowing how to read 16th Century English literature, very few people have relevance for this. In my first year at the University of Limerick I studied Maths as an optional subject, honestly it was way easier than Leaving Cert Honours. I got an A at University level, and a D at LC Honours level, can anyone explain the need for this?
To reform the LC we need to reform third level requirements. For example, Engineering courses could require a minimum H4 in Maths and Technology, and O4 in any two science subjects. This example could apply to any courses, but the principal would be that you would have to pick between 4-6 subjects for the LC, which would allow you to select the field of your future career, while specifics could wait until the CAO process.
The JC could act as a basic exam for all subjects, to allow students to get a flavour of each, but then the LC would be the first step in getting a career. The points system would remain in place, but subject requirements for third level courses would make the points system a lot fairer. As it is, someone who gets 600 points in subjects like Geography, History, Business, can become a vet, while someone who got 400 points in science subjects can't. I know who I'd prefer to check on my dog.
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