University places could be decided by lottery

STUDENTS could be selected for college by lottery instead of having to compete just on the basis of their Leaving Certificate results, according to one proposal for reform of third-level entry.

It is the preferred strategy of Prof Áine Hyland, former head of education at University College Cork, who has prepared a discussion paper to begin a major consultation on reforming the points system. If the debate leads to public agreement, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says changes could be in place for students sitting the Leaving Certificate as soon as 2014.

Although the system operated for the colleges by the Central Application Office (CAO) is widely considered transparent and fair, the pressures it puts on students to perform well in the Leaving Certificate has long been criticised.