Sir, – Having waited most of the summer for my son’s Leaving Certificate results, I wonder how it is that the final results of the French Baccalauréat are in the post to all students exactly a week after the last examination has ended. A later session is organised early in the summer for students who are ill or had an accident in June which ensures that they do not have to repeat the year if disaster of a medical nature strikes on the day of the initial examination. This allows students (and their parents of course) to assess the situation and make, at leisure, whatever preparations are required for the following year.
They can then enjoy a stress-free summer, as the case may be, once arrangements have been completed.
My son’s description of the complexity of the Irish examination schedule, CAO arrangements, first and second offers and points system to his French cousins was met with absolute puzzlement and, in some cases, hilarity and disbelief. – Yours, etc,