Next Wednesday is a big day. Maybe not for you. But for many of the country’s 17-19 year-olds it will mark the beginning of the rest of their lives. Dreams will come true for some, while others may be disappointed.
There’s no doubt about it, the last couple of months have seen an anxious wait. It’s the same every year, but this year’s wait has been especially hard thanks to a little mess up!
Having to sit English Paper Two on a different date saw a lot of students panic, especially considering some of them needed that weekend to study for their maths paper. But that doesn’t matter now. By this time next week, the country’s Leaving Cert students will have their results and will be waiting - heart in mouth - for that all-elusive college offer.
I don’t envy them one bit.
And to make matters worse for them, a new survey claims that unless you’ve gone to school in the capital you’re screwed, well more or less!
In a new league table compiled by the University of Ulster and the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, schools in the capital, and particularly fee-paying schools, are the top feeder schools in the country.
Originally, league tables were compiled from schools based on the progression of students to third level; however the new league table took account of the Irish Times feeder list and re-evaluated the performances of schools based on their social background. Extra credits were also given to schools if there was high local unemployment, low levels of computer ownership, a high immigrant population, and low levels of participation in third level education. The size of the school was also taken into account.
It sounds good, doesn’t it? And to be fair I can’t see any problem with the grading system. Well, apart from the fact that not one Midlands school is to be seen anywhere in the top 25. In fact, only three schools outside of the capital make the top 25. That’s a bit embarrassing isn’t it?
Time and time again research shows that private or fee-paying schools turn out the best Leaving Cert results as they are relatively unaffected by many economic and other problems that State schools must face. Teachers can be hired and fired depending on ability and results, allowing schools to form a staff of teachers who are worthy of teaching and will help students reach their true potential. There are no fears from parents that inefficient teachers are running the classrooms - which as we all know is an age-old problem the State refuses to face up to.
I’m delighted that these fee-paying schools are giving results. Parents are paying huge fees to help their children progress and so the schools should be delivering the desired results. In saying that, not everyone can afford to pay fees. Most parents I know struggle to pay even the basic cost of uniforms and books. And many teachers in State schools are trying their hardest to teach their students with limited resources and funding.
It’s a sad fact that there is no level playing field for our Leaving Cert students.
Next week you’ll undoubtedly hear of the teenage genius who got eight As including in Latin and Hebrew! And good for them. But spare a thought for those who didn’t do so well, those who may be in limbo, those who will have to repeat, and especially those who will be victims of this horrible recession and will miss out on a place in college.
Not everyone can afford to send their children to a fee paying school. And not everyone can afford to send their children to college either.
Wednesday is a big day, and hopefully a happy day for the Leaving Cert class of 2009.
