I completely agree. The LC is little more than a memory test.

The LC may be a memory test but it’s a very important one and still the only one that determineds your life as a rule. Also one that you will never forget.

I know several people who failed their leaving cert who went on to have successful careers so it’s not the be all and end all. One in particular is just starting their PHD, so there is nothing wrong with their intellect.

Third level blames Second level. Second level blames Primary level. And Primary level blames…??? The real problem here is mass access to 3rd level. It used to be for the above average performer. Since not everyone can be above average difficulties with numeracy and literacy are bound to be more in evidence. Follow the advice of Sean O’Driscoll of GlenDimplex – cut back the number of institutions.

Unfortunately, what was left out is that most companies spend a further two years trying to deprogramme university graduates, so they can act on their own initiative rather than wait for someone to tell them step by step how to do a relatively easy task and then check back to ensure they’ve done it rather than spent the time on Twitter or Facebook.

the entire education system is just far too easy. its well know that papers will be marked easier to get a certain pass rate which is a complete joke. if you want smart graduates, then dont spoon feed them and hold their hand.

As someone who has recruited newly released graduates over the last number of years I have noticed a drop in standards of basic literacy and basic cop on.

I’ve been very lucky with some, however a number of them couldn’t spell properly, couldn’t carry out the most basic calculations without a calculator and had no concept if how to behave in a professional environment. These students were typically business degree graduates.

It makes me wonder about the standard of those teaching them and what they are being taught.

This may look like a rant but if we don’t start doing something about our education system then we are headed for the abyss.

Second level had a responsibility here.

twitter, facebook or the journal.ie.

What’s with all this anti-LC rhetoric? It’s the level of teaching that determines numeracy and literacy rates. The focus on these two needs to be in place from primary school. Many LC teachers assume that students have these skills. They’re under pressure to get through the curriculum and they assume that students will figure it out for themselves. Realistically they should be able to sort it out for themselves.

The issue is one of teaching and partly of curriculum.

It’s also down to parents. Too often we assume that the teacher will take care of it when really parents need to take a strong interest in their children and help them work up their numeracy and literacy skills from an early age.

The obvious response to Professor MacCraith’s criticism is that it’s the universities that are turning out the incompetent teachers.

There is no question but that basic literacy and numeracy are being neglected somewhere in the system.

I have received CVs that used ‘text-speak’ and contained elementary spelling errors.
I have encountered many recent graduates with no concept of basic mental arithmetic
I have received application emails without absolutely no understanding of letter (email) writing.

Something is not right ….

Kudos to Prof. MacCraith for breaking the taboo over this subject. The Leaving Certificate is solely concerned with rote learning and has nothing to do with the transfer of knowledge. The problem is mainly with the syllabus. This means that the good teachers in the system (there are some) are let down by a system that places more value on the regurgitation of information and not the fostering of independent critical thought. But shock horror, if we though students how to critically think we may end up with a population with opinions.

As a student currently waiting on his leaving cert. results, I am both infuriated and amused at some of the comments above. Firstly, whatever the leaving may be, it certainly isn’t easy. It is stressful, tedious, mind-numbingly unstimulating and damn hard. I remind you that the leaving must cater for all abilities, not simply those who critique news articles in their spare time. @Mike Reid, altering the marking scheme is perfectly logical as it ensures that grades remain comparable year on year. An A1 student in an easy paper is not the same as an A1 in a hard one. In general, many of you seem to be churning out the same whithered rhetoric about ‘critical thinking’ though few demonstrate it. How do you propose we teach this spontaneous and individual skill to classes of near thirty mixed ability students and still have a fair and transparent method of assessment? @Jennifer, “The Leaving Certificate is solely concerned with rote learning, and has nothing to do with the transfer of knowledge.” Read that one again and think critically this time! Some of the above comments are grammatical glass houses. This condecending didactic tripe about the leaving makes me sick, and some commentators are clearly deluded if they think they’re truly giving fresh, critical opinions on the subject.

It’s worthless fact you cannot argue with facts my friend because a fact is a fact proven fact. I have proven this, by example of myself failing the leaving certificate now going onto to my kings inn exams after successfully finishing my HND, LLB and LLM in law. NOT A PETTY LEAVING CERTIFICATE LOL. FACT.