The Dublin region of the Catholic Secondary School Parent Association devised a system to ascertain the views of parents on the points system in an effective representative way. It was felt that this type of research was necessary to ascertain the views of parents, the primary educator of the child.

Because of its importance, 10 parent associations organised nights to facilitate the voicing of views, in a manner that truly represented the strength in which those views were held. Each school made its own set of responses, uninfluenced by any other school's conclusions.

The nights proved very successful. Parents were divided into groups of 10, and had lively and, at times, intense discussion under four headings - advantages, disadvantages, ways to improve the system and alternatives. In order to eliminate minority opinions and to arrive at a consensus of the views of the parents within each school, only views that were held by over 70 per cent of parents present have been give consideration.

In the view of parents, the points system is an impartially run system. However, it causes "too much stress". The parents recommended that it should be broadened, from relying only a terminal exam, the Leaving Cert, to include continuous school-based assessment.

Parents recognised that the Leaving Cert is primarily an academic assessment, which does not take into account other intelligence and natural aptitudes.

Therefore, interviews, psychometic tests and aptitude tests should be used. These would measure "other intelligences and natural aptitudes". Points from these could then be fed into a broader-based points systems.

The following is a summary of some of the view held by the majority:

Nine out of 10 schools said that the administration of the system was fair in different ways . . . "fair/brutally fair/not open to corruption/no outside influence/objective and impartial/honest/no nepotism". No other widely held advantage was recorded.

Nine out of 10 schools voted unequivocally that there was "too much stress" and all used precisely the same phrase.

Nine out of 10 schools voted that the current system recognised academic intelligence, but discriminated against or did not take account of other intelligences or natural aptitudes.

Seven out of 10 schools voted that the system impeded holistic development.

Six out of 10 schools voted that the result of two year's work depended on one day's performance.

Six out of 10 schools voted that the system promoted grind schools and cramming and that the choice of career was dictated by points rather than personal preference.

PRO, Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations

Education & Living

Editor: Ella Shanahan

Production: Hugh Lambert and Harry Browne

Main Cover illustration: Patricia Ross

Small cover illustrations: Cathy Dineen

Email: education@irish-times.ie