Madam, – Failing maths or any other subject in the Leaving Certificate is a disgrace. The pass mark, usually 40 per cent, represents a single point on a continuum of results where those with 39 per cent or less are not recognised; 40 per cent is the irreducible minimum standard, anything less is degraded. Attributing blanket negativity to low achievers is mean-spirited. There is no pass mark in athletics where qualification is simple. Top finishers qualify to advance. However, those who fail to advance do not fail athletics.
Is it time to honour all exam results? – Yours, etc,