Exams students run out of time and luck
The written final exam was preceded by comprehensive and testing course work which then had to be written up in a manuscript of 60 foolscap pages.
This onerous task is not required for other subjects, like English, history, geography, classical studies, etc.
Other subjects which have a practical requirement, like art, have a much more benign written component with copious choice.
The geography and history and English exams, which require a good deal of writing, have three hours and 20 minutes to allow students time to write what they know. Home economics only had two hours and 30 minutes.
Good students who knew the material were frustrated by the lack of time to answer the comprehensive questions. This was true for my students at both levels. They were not only traumatised and in tears but their confidence to score the points they were aiming for was undermined, and it affected their attitude to the rest of their exams.
I would like to know if the exam was tested before it was launched on this year’s misfortunate students. I think it would add insult to injury if they were used as guinea pigs for any pedagogical incompetence. I would also like to know how the content and format were vetted. I will arrange for some comparisons with similar A level courses.
The consequence of these drastic changes is that we will advise students not to take home economics and offer them a course in classical studies, which has a more enjoyable and cultural content.
It is a pity because we have two excellent Junior Certificate students who are performing at A level. But the home economics exam has made it a poor points strategy to choose a subject they love and in which they excel.
Nuala Jackson,
XLC (External Leaving Community),
Waterford Regional Youth Services,
Manor Street,
Waterford.
