Sir, – Further to "Reforms will make easier to pass Leaving Cert higher-level exams" (Front Page, April 27th), who says the public service is incapable of applying private market principles to how it does business? The banks have consistently rewarded failure and now the Department of Education is going to follow suit. Apparently, those students who have failed, or rather "not achieved", are, believe it or not, to be awarded points. This must be what they call progress! – Yours, etc,
CIAN HOGAN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – A high grade at ordinary level shows an ability to finish a question properly and this demonstrates attention to detail. This important characteristic in a student is not always evident in a student who gains a C, D or E at higher level. – Yours, etc,
Dr CORA STACK,
Lecturer in Mathematics,
Institute of Technology,
Tallaght,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – I am writing to you in order to express my frustration at the proposal that Leaving Certificate students should be awarded points for securing 30 per cent of marks in higher-level papers.
This proposal was made in order to encourage more students to sit the higher-level paper without fear of failing. While the intentions of this proposal are legitimate, I feel that this proposal treats the symptoms of the disease instead of the disease itself.
One must ask why does any student fail any subject? Because he or she cannot understand it. In this situation, the most logical thing to do is to identify what the students find difficult and to enhance teaching methods to help the students. But, of course, that is hard work. Awarding more points for lower marks is much easier.
Imagine passing a subject with 30 per cent marks. So 30 per cent in maths means sitting only one of two papers and securing 60 per cent in that paper. Can a student who passed maths with a 30 per cent mark be deemed to have met the learning objectives of the Leaving Certificate maths course? I think not. Should such a student be awarded points?
As a Leaving Certificate student myself, I wish to ask whether the Leaving Cert is about learning or gaining points? If it is about learning,then this proposal is irrelevant as it does not enhance learning. If it is about gaining points, then this decision should be applauded. – Yours, etc,
APARNA
KEERTHI RAMESH,
Wexford.
Sir, – If the marks required to pass a course were lowered to 30 per cent, does that imply that the students may not know 70 per cent of the course materials?
At my third-level institute in Canada, the passing grade required for all courses is 60 per cent. Honours grades start at 80 per cent.
Admission for secondary school students to all our programmes is highly competitive. Any grade less than 60 per cent is not acceptable. For some programmes, at least 80 per cent is required. We do not “dumb down” any requirements. Our students know that before and during their attendance. The employers of our graduates know that. Our graduates are highly employable and successful. – Yours, etc,
P McCARTHY,
Toronto,
Canada.