The number of students taking the Leaving Cert Applied option has increased for the fifth year running. Olivia Kelly reports
Despite the sharp decline in Leaving Cert numbers this year, the Leaving Cert Applied option is continuing to thrive and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) says steps are being taken to make the programme more widely available.
"There has been a steady increase in both the numbers of schools and students participating in the Leaving Cert Applied. There has also been an increase in the number of non-school centres where students can take the exam," says Mr John Hammond, NCCA deputy chief executive.
The NCCA plans to open the programme to a wider number of students by making it available on a part-time basis.
"We've had a significant number of requests. . . so we're now developing a form of the Leaving Cert Applied, which would enable students to take modules on a part-time basis," Mr Hammond says.
Introduced in 1995 as an alternative to the mainstream syllabus, the Leaving Cert Applied is aimed at students whose aptitudes are not catered for in the traditional Leaving Cert, particularly those who intend following vocational courses or starting work after school.
The numbers following the programme have been growing steadily. In its first examination year, 1997, 750 students sat the Leaving Cert Applied. The following year this increased to 1,700. Last year 2,928 students were entered for the exams and the number rose to 3,057 this year.
"Initially it was mainly offered in vocational and community schools and was predominantly taken by boys. Now it has balanced out and a significant number of secondary schools and a greater number of girls now opt for it," he says.
The NCCA would like to see the Leaving Cert Applied on offer in all schools but, Mr Hammond admits, resources are an issue.
"Often it depends on the size of the schools as to whether they have the resources to offer the programme, so the issue is particularly pertinent for small rural schools."
More than 90 per cent of Leaving Cert Applied students either enter the workforce, go for further training or take post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses.
No points are awarded for the Leaving Cert Applied in the CAO system and, unlike the standard Leaving Cert, no breakdown of results for subjects is released. Students going down the PLC route can gain access to certain courses in institutes of technology. Access to university is "something to look at in the future," Mr Hammond says.
On the whole the programme has been well received in schools, said Mr Pat O'Dowd, Leaving Cert Applied co-ordinator for the Teachers Union of Ireland. The continuous assessment and work experience elements benefit many students but, he adds, there is concern that some are attracted into the workforce before the end of the course.
"Work experience is a major feature of the course and for the most part it is a positive aspect but a lot of students find employers offering them extra hours or even permanent positions," he says. "No matter what the offer is, they're far better off getting their Leaving Cert."
The traditional Leaving Cert could benefit from adopting elements of the Leaving Cert Applied, he says, particularly its modular structure.
Leaving Cert Applied students also get more time with guidance counsellors and are called for interview to assess their progress twice yearly.