Sir, - It seems those opposing examination "league tables" wish to protect ineffective schools and teaching by refusing to publish information in which parents have a legitimate interest. To eliminate the distortions which such information is said to contain, one could publish a comparison of the change in results (for better or worse) between Junior and Leaving Certificate. The change (rather than the absolute result) could form the basis of a league table.
Knowledge itself is neither moral nor immoral. Lack of knowledge may lead to assumptions which are not correct and result in sub-optimal decision-making. Once again the advocates of the nanny state do not trust the population to decide for themselves. - Yours, etc., Fintan Clancy,
Carlingford Road, Hampstead, London NW3.