Sir, - As a teacher I found it refreshing to hear Vincent Browne express two simple facts about teaching - that it is more intensive than most jobs and of more value than many better-paid jobs. I also agreed with some of his other points about the need for greater accountability.
However, I must disagree with him when he says that publication of exam results will lead to poorly resourced schools in disadvantaged areas being identified and targeted for better funding. We know, and have known for decades, where the disadvantaged schools are. Yet successive governments, and the people who elected them, have shown no willingness to help the marginalised communities in which these schools are based. A recent report which showed that fewer than 120 children of unskilled workers went to university last year raised no outcry. I fail to see why the publication of school league tables should lead to a sudden attack of social conscience.
Vincent Browne says that publication of results would highlight "social disadvantage, poor resources and bad teaching". It might well highlight all of these, but how would it distinguish between them? And if it is unable to distinguish between them, what use is it?
Exam league tables are a blunt and totally unsuitable instrument for dealing with the very complex problem of educational failure. - Yours, etc.,
Frances Shearer, Greenhill Road, Wicklow.