Sir, - In recent years, with the increasing level of competitiveness evident among our young people and parents in seeking places at third level colleges the issue of exam pressure and associated stress is again topical. As we approach exam time again it is important that teachers, parents and indeed follow students be aware of the dangerous throat under which students suffering from stress find themselves.
As a vice principal of a large city school, I daily see the developing aspirations that young people hold for their futures. Unfortunately, to many, the solo emphasis is the securing of adequate points in their Leaving Certificate to obtain a further education place. This focus can load to students placing themselves under excessive pressure. In fact psychologists working for the Eastern Health Board have called for more attention to be paid to the increasing number of exam related stress cases.
I believe all schools initiate a stress management programme. This programme would, firstly, try to prevent pressure on students building to unacceptable levels and, secondly, identify individual stress cases and seek for them the proper counselling/help required. I call on the Minister for Education to immediately initiate and adequately fund such a vital and urgent programme. - Yours, etc.,
Finglas,
Dublin.