Academic standards - Credibility undermined

SCHOOLS and colleges have long been accused of making it easier than heretofore for students to pass exams and though this accusation has been strongly rejected suspicions persist.

The revelation that Cork Institute of Technology reviewed the exam results of around 100 students who failed part of their final exams and subsequently awarded them a pass grade will do nothing to challenge that perception.

Rather it suggests that the confidence we all – students and employers – should all have in academic achievement has been undermined.

The institute insists that proper procedures were followed but it cannot imagine that passing students who only managed to get 11% in an exam will do anything for their credibility or the credibility of the Irish education system.