Leave examination system as it is

In the midst of the various changes taking place in the Junior Cert, (it is proposed that teachers mark their own students exams) may I identify a particular change which has not received much attention — the role of the State Examination Board and students who have obtained results in the top 2%-5%.

The present system works extremely well for high achievers.

When the results are known, the State Examination Board writes to the high achiever’s local school to enquire if the student would be willing to engage in further courses to improve their knowledge in a particular field which they did well in during their exams. Then, the student is invited to one of the universities at the weekends and engages in an intensive serious of courses.

The integrity of the present system is without fault. All exams are marked based on a numerical code and the examiner does not know the identity of whom they mark. The new changes will call into question the integrity of the markings and put untold pressure on an overburdened and much regulated education system.

I spoke to the curriculum department in the Department of Education recently and they could not tell this letter writer what the solution to this problem was. The minister should leave the system as it stands.

Paul Doran

Clondalkin

Dublin 22