Sir, - May I suggest a correlation between the concept of democracy, despite its faults, and the current Leaving Certificate points system. Both systems are based on values of integrity, transparency and equity. Such elements are now established as an integral part of our current examination structure, thereby ensuring certification of absolute validity.
In an era when respected professions and institutions have breached our trust, should we contemplate any mitigation of the accepted incorruptibility associated with the existing system in which children of PAYE employees, the unemployed and others can compete competitively with children of privileged and wealthy background in the full knowledge that all aspects of the examination are beyond reproach?
The current Leaving Certificate has a supreme national and international status. To attempt to undermine it in any way could leave it at the mercy of human frailty, leading to the inevitability of the disadvantaged becoming even more disadvantaged. Like members of other professions, teachers are fallible.
It causes me some anxiety when IBEC and other lobbyists call for change to such a non-discriminatory system. It is well to recall that, initially, the points system was introduced for the purpose of eliminating unfair attempts at representation being made on behalf of students seeking entry to the higher status faculties.
Let us not now play politics with the current egalitarian structure, which indisputably ensures equality of opportunity for each citizen. - Yours, etc., Brian McCarthy,
Mount Anville Wood, Dublin 14.