Concerned parents nix Friday release
Although principals, teachers and school managers had supported the move to prevent disruption to class time, the National Parents Council-Post Primary (NPC-PP) blocked the move.
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) raised the possibility with the State Examinations Commission (SEC) because schools have reported many students not turning up or arriving for classes late after celebrating their results in previous years.
“In the past, discos and other events were organised and students weren’t turning up in school next day. Although I think it’s got better in recent years, we wanted to minimise disruption to schools and the SEC said they were open to a change,” said NAPD director Clive Byrne.
“They asked us to take lead and get letters of approval from other education partners, and my understanding was that everybody was on board,” said Mr Byrne.
But it emerged last month that following concerns from NPC-PP, the SEC was not going to change the pattern of issuing results on a Wednesday, without consensus on the issue.
NPC-PP president Tommy Walshe said it was raised at council level that it is easier to monitor pubs and clubs if results are out on a Wednesday.
“If it was on a Friday, you’re into the weekend, and you’d have more of the general public out and it would be harder to keep an eye. However, we would still ask for the cooperation of pubs and off-licences to be vigilant,” he said.
Charity group Alcohol Action Ireland urged parents to talk with their children about celebration plans and devise a simple “stay safe” guide with them.
“We would urge parents to let their teens know that if they find themselves in trouble, you would much prefer they call home than fear the consequences of their drinking,” said director Fiona Ryan.
