Sir, – Telling Leaving Certificate students, who achieve less than 40 per cent in an examination, that their performance cannot be recognised is hard to justify.
Academic results are like athletic or racing results; beginning with first place they continue right the way down to last place to form a continuum of achievement. In athletics, however, there is no “pass mark” or time above which an athlete’s performance is declared unacceptable. No athlete is declared a failure. No athlete is formally disowned by a governing body. Qualification in athletics is simple. Top finishers advance. Importantly, no athlete, not even the slowest, is said to have failed athletics. – Yours, etc,
RORY BUCKLEY,
The Green,
Woodpark,
Ballinteer,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Despite the age old drum-roll of Leaving Cert results day, there is one part of the process that remains ambiguous: what’s the protocol when it comes to the student with a “poor” result; and where does that awfully intrusive question “Well, how many points?” belong?
It’s a personal question posed by people with no personal ties. At no other time in life are we expected to unveil ourselves so wholly, yet rarely are we so vulnerable. Good news or bad news should be announced not demanded; feelings, not figures, should be deliberated, and dignity in defeat should be tendered, not trashed.
School is done. The Leaving Cert is over. The interrogation is no more. With 500 points or no points, these kids are moving on. They are adults now who in the fullness of time, please God, will find all the answers that matter. – Yours, etc,
YVONNE JOYE
College Park Way,
Dundrum,
Dublin 16.