Sir, - I had Australian visitors staying with me while the Intermediate and Leaving Certificate examinations were in progress last June. They read my Irish Times with much interest every day and were astonished at what they saw as the excessive coverage and the in-depth analysis of everything to do with the exams, so unlike the low key approach in their own country, where anyone with no direct interest in the exams might not realise they were in progress. Their comment was that they would hate to have children sitting exams here in such a hyped-up and over-heated atmosphere, which they felt, could only heap further unnecessary stress and anxiety on children already sufficiently burdened with apprehension and worry at that time.
Now that results fever is upon us I am reminded of their remarks, and would like to know if there are others out there who would agree that the media is well over the top in this area of coverage and should think about cooling it in future years? - Yours, etc.,
Gearoid Kilgallen,
Crosthwaite Park South, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.