Teachers reject Leaving Cert ‘dumbing down’ claims

The Association of Secondary Teachers has rejected fresh suggestions that the Leaving Cert may have been "dumbed down" in recent years.

New figures show that 17% of Leaving Cert students received at least 450 points this year, compared to just 6.2% in 1992.

Experts say "dumbing down" is one possible explanation, but the ASTI has rejected this claim.

The unions general secretary, John White, said today that the higher marks were more likely a result of more ambition and harder work on behalf of students.

"Just as everybody in our society is working harder than they were 20 years ago, so also are pupils and their teachers," he said.

"That, to me, is a far more valid reason for stating that our pupils are doing better."