Grinds ‘give unfair advantage’

STUDENTS who can afford grinds and other supports will have an unfair advantage at the Leaving Certificate until changes are made to how school-leavers are assessed, college leaders have said.

As the question of how to ease pressure on students competing for points in the CAO college entry system was discussed, many speakers at a conference yesterday raised concerns about ensuring any new system is equitable.

But the Transition or Transaction conference at University College Dublin also heard that the current system confers benefits on those who can pay for additional help ahead of their exams.