School league tables are the work of dunces
The majority of parents recognise the inherent fairness of the points system. However, they are concerned about the effect it is having on their children and their education, as it is the only means of selection for access to third-level education.
The recent publication of ‘league tables’ in a number of newspapers and journals, outlining the number of students from individual schools who went to universities last year, is an attempt by the media to scaremonger.
The figures in these articles included misinformation; they took no account of geographical influence, and therefore are worthless.
Fortunately, Irish parents know universities are not the sole providers of further education. The institutes of technology account for the majority of students entering third-level education. Nursing, teacher training colleges, NCAD, agricultural colleges, private colleges and universities outside the state cater for many thousand students.
Apprenticeship and colleges of further education offer another alternative to universities. Parents in many schools are told at meetings for incoming pupils where the students from the previous year have gone for their third-level education, numbers working, number of apprenticeships and so on.
Where this information has not been available up until now parents need only ask their principal.
Marian Lyon, PRO,
National Parents Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges,
Fartagh,
Lisduff,
Virginia,
Co Cavan.
