Madam, – I sat my Leaving Certificate in 1997. A while ago, I met a lady who had taught me maths when I was in school. I thanked her for her efforts as certain things she taught us always stayed with me. I asked her if the job has changed since I was in school. She replied that it had, and the main difference between the students of today and my generation is that my generation listened! You can talk about the curriculum, a poor standard of teaching and a lack of bonus points for maths. If students are not prepared to listen, none of these things matter. – Yours, etc,